Lamu leaders split over extended curfew

Lamu; Kenya: Lamu leaders are sharply divided over the recent extension of a three-month old curfew in the area by another month.

While a section of leaders led by Lamu West MP Julius Ndegwa want the curfew extended, others led by Lamu Governor Issa Timamy want it lifted immediately.

Mr Ndegwa says the curfew should not be lifted until the raiders who killed area residents are identified and brought to book.

“We want the Government to tell the people of Lamu who the killers were,” he said.

Mr Timamy, however, is opposed to the extension of the curfew, accusing Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo of not consulting the local leaders.

Besides, Timamy argues, the curfew has paralysed tourism, fishing and other commercial activities in most parts of the county.

“More than Sh500 million in revenue has been lost. More than 2,000 hotel workers have been declared redundant since July 6 when the curfew was imposed. The situation is dire and untenable,” Timamy says.

Both sides however agree that the curfew row needs dialogue to resolve. The matter of the curfew is said to have caused some tension between Lamu Island and the mainland.

Leaders are now worried that if the tension is allowed to escalate, the situation might get out of hand. Ndegwa is leading the calls for dialogue among the area leadership.

“The only way to avoid the growing tension is for us as the leadership to come together and discuss the matter in the best interests of everyone,” Ndegwa said.

Monica Njambi, a nominated member of the County Assembly is supporting the curfew as a measure of stemming further raids. She, however, agrees it has gravely affected fishing in the area and cannot be the long term solution to the problem. She too is calling for dialogue. James Kura, a villager, is worried that the arms used to kill the residents during the attacks have not been recovered nor the raiders apprehended.

“Lifting of the ban will expose us as we are still vulnerable,” he said.

Over 60 residents were killed in a series of attacks in July by unknown raiders. The Government blamed “local political networks” for the raids that caught the security and intelligence apparatus in the area flat-footed.