Ignore curfew, coast leaders tell residents

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy during a press conference on October 22, 2014 where he spoke out against the curfew extension in the county. Governor Timamy and other coastal leaders have told Lamu residents to ignore resumption of a curfew on the island. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The curfew, which has been in force in Lamu since the June-July killings in the region, was suspended for four days to allow the county to conduct its annual cultural festival, which ended on Sunday.
• The governor asked the national government to completely lift it, saying, it had gravely affected tourism, fishing and trade, which are the backbone of the county’s economy

By KALUME KAZUNGU
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Political leaders from coastal counties have told Lamu residents to ignore resumption of a curfew on the island.

The curfew, which has been in force in Lamu since the June-July killings in the region, was suspended for four days to allow the county to conduct its annual cultural festival, which ended on Sunday.

The curfew resumes Monday, but governors Issa Timamy (Lamu) and Ali Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Lamu Senator Abu Chiaba, MPs Ali Athman Sharif (Lamu East), Julius Ndegwa (Lamu West) and Khatib Mwashetani (Lungalunga) said they would advise the residents to ignore it if the government does not lift it.

The leaders, who spoke on Sunday after attending the annual festival, told the communities to ignore the order even after the festival.

On Saturday, Governor Timamy said no crime took place during the time the festival. He said that was proof enough that the island was better off without the restriction.

TOURISM AFFECTED
The governor asked the national government to completely lift it, saying, it had gravely affected tourism, fishing and trade, which are the backbone of the county’s economy.

He said the county government had lost about Sh500 million in revenue in the period the curfew has been in force and they would ignore it to save the economy.

“We still ask the government to lift the curfew,” he said, addressing the public at Mkunguni Square on Saturday. “It is no longer necessary.”

Governor Joho said Lamu was safe and the restriction was not necessary. He accused President Kenyatta of using improper ways to deal with terrorism.

“You can’t fight terrorism by closing mosques and imposing curfew in places like Lamu that is known to be one of the safest (places).

LIFT CURFEW
“The curfew should be lifted and instead, the government should come up with effective ways to deal with terrorism,” he said.

Senator Chiaba said it was unfair for a curfew that was harming Lamu more than helping it to remain in force when it was not enforced in other counties affected by insecurity.

“In Mandera, Mombasa, Nairobi and Kapedo, people have been killed and we haven’t heard such things like curfews. Why Lamu?” Mr Chiaba posed.