Locals said the ban has greatly affected them since they are faced with difficulties, especially during times of emergencies that require them to travel at night.
Commuters and traders have called on the national government to lift the night travel ban on the Lamu-Garsen route, saying the move has paralysed their operations.
Speaking in Lamu on Monday, locals said the ban has greatly affected them since they are faced with difficulties, especially during times of emergencies that require them to travel at night.
The night travel ban was imposed in the region on July 19, 2014 after seven people, including four administration police officers, were killed by Al-Shabaab terrorists who ambushed a Tahmeed bus enroute to Lamu from Mombasa at Mambo Sasa forest in Witu.
“We used to travel any time we want. The night travel ban on the Lamu-Garsen road has subjected us to suffering and we want it lifted. We always pray that emergencies don’t occur at night,” said Mr Fuad Salim, a commuter.
“If you have a patient who requires to be ferried to other hospitals in Malindi, Kilifi and Mombasa at night, you may even lose that patient because of the stages you will be required to go through before you are given the go-ahead. It’s high time that the ban was lifted.”
Ms Raya Famau, a civil rights activist and resident of Lamu, said there is no reason for the ban to remain in place as government agencies have assured security has “generally been restored across Lamu County”.
Ms Raya said apart from lifting the night travel ban, the government should also reconsider reducing or even removing the numerous roadblocks on the Lamu-Garsen road.
She said the roadblocks are too many, causing unnecessary delays for travellers who are forced to spend more hours on the road.
“The residents here, especially women and children, are really suffering while travelling on the Lamu-Garsen road,” said Ms Raya.
“You’re spending almost 12 hours while travelling during day time from Lamu to Mombasa due to the roadblocks.”
She added: “I think Lamu is now a very secure place and the government should think of lifting the night ban and removing or at least reducing the roadblocks on our road.”
Commuters plying the route have also accused police manning the various roadblocks of harassment and favouritism.
Roadblocks
Bus drivers and their conductors have accused security agents of applying double standards since they allow shuttles to go through the roadblocks without undergoing the required rigorous security checks while buses are subjected to long gruelling hours of waiting as they go through the checks.
“We have seen a trend where shuttles plying the same route are not passing through the same security checks we are subjected to as bus drivers and passengers,” said Hussein Ahmed, another commuter.
“ Our passengers are required to alight and get screened together with their entire luggage while this is not the case for those using shuttles.”
Following the series of terror attacks, all public transport vehicles plying the road were also compelled to travel in one convoy under police protection. This requirement is still in force.
Lamu County Police Commander Muchangi Kioi has, however, called on Lamu-Garsen road users to be patient until the ongoing construction of the road is complete and security situation assured in the region.
The road, which is being constructed by the national government at a cost of Sh10.8 billion, is already more than 30 percent complete with the entire project expected to be ready by December this year.
“This concern of having the night travel ban lifted has been raised several times ... Let’s wait for the road to be completed before we can do that,” said Mr Kioi
“It’s not a decision. I can just wake up and make it. We require some considerations on security arrangements.”
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