Somalia's Top Telcom Firm Accuses Kenyan Forces of Network Hub Destruction

By Zamzam Osman - Reporter

Somalia, January 19, 2026 Somalia’s telecommunications provider, Hormuud Telecom, on Monday accused Kenyan forces of destroying one of its key mobile network facilities in the Lower Juba region, an incident the company said disrupted vital communication and financial services relied upon by thousands of civilians.

The facility, located in the village of Dhuyac-garoon, was destroyed on January 14, according to Hormuud, which noted that the same site had previously been targeted in a similar incident on January 21, 2019.

“Hormuud wishes to inform its customers that Kenyan forces has once again destroyed the company's equipment in Dhuyac-garoon area.

“The incident caused extensive service disruptions and financial losses for both the company and its customers,” Hormuud said in a statement dated 19 January.

The statement added that the services were the backbone of social connectivity, commerce, and daily life for local residents “who are currently struggling with severe drought and harsh living conditions.”

Hormuud said the incident shut down telecommunications and mobile money services in the area, including its EVC Plus platform, which it described as “a lifeline” for residents to purchase food, water, and other basic necessities.

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According to the company, the service outage affected between 20,000 and 30,000 people living in and around Dhuyac-garoon and neighbouring communities.

Local media reported that the facility was destroyed using landmines, and alleged that the Kenyan forces responsible crossed the border illegally and were not part of troops lawfully operating inside Somalia.

In its statement, Hormuud reiterated its commitment to providing reliable services to Somali citizens despite ongoing security challenges.

“Hormuud Telecom remains fully committed to serving its country and its people with transparency and responsibility, and to restoring services as quickly as possible once security conditions allow,” the statement said.

In Somalia, mobile money services account for more than 90 per cent of all financial transactions, making telecommunications infrastructure critical to everyday life.

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