Lawmakers call on Uhuru to lift Lamu curfew

Members of Parliament from the Muslim community have called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to immediately lift a curfew that was imposed on Lamu County more than six months ago.

The leaders accused the government of spearheading a campaign against the economy of the people of the county.

The government, through the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew following the Mpeketoni massacre that claimed over 40 lives six months ago. The curfew has continued to be extended on security reasons.

Bura MP Ali Wario, Lamu County women representative Shakila Abdalla, Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow and Lagdera MP Mohammed Shidiye led more than 20 members of the National Assembly and Senate in calling for the lifting of the curfew.

They said the economy of Lamu has suffered as a result of the “illegal curfew” adding that theft had increased since its imposition.

“Lamu curfew though imposed on security grounds has interfered with economic, cultural, and religious norms of the people. We are asking the government to lift it with immediate effect,” the Bura MP said.

Ms Abdalla demanded an explanation as to why theft had increased despite the curfew.

“We condemn the indefinite curfew which has done a lot of damage to the economy and livelihood of the people. It has increased criminality. Many shops have closed and there are serious cases of theft since imposition of curfew,” she said.

She demanded that the government explain the section of the law that it is relying on to extend the curfew.

“It is unconstitutional and is interfering with human rights.  The dusk-to-dawn curfew is very unfortunate. Our economy depends on tourism and fishing. How can the president ask western nations to lift travel advisories to Kenyan when he has imposed curfew in tourist destination of Lamu? This is double standards,” Ms Abdalla said.

Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow sought to know why local officials have not been involved in security meetings despite the leaders’ readiness to work with the government in stemming insecurity.

“The president is telling people that security is their responsibility but local leaders are left out in security meeting,” he said.

Senator Kerrow said the government appears to have a hidden agenda to intimidate the people of Lamu. He accused the government of abdicating its responsibility of ensuring security and shifting the burden to people.

“This means the government can’t guarantee the safety of Lamu, Mandera and Kapedo people and that’s why Lamu people are being told to lock themselves up in their houses,” he said.

Mr Shidiye said Lamu residents are poor and live on subsistence farming, fishing and tourism.

“Why is it that there is no curfew in Mandera, Westgate, Kapedo and Suguta Marmar where soldiers and people were killed? We don’t want double standards. We want the curfew lifted immediately,” the Lagdera MP said.

He asked the government to withdraw Kenyan soldiers in Somalia, secure its borders or prop-up a friendly government in Somalia to fight Al-Shabaab militants.