Lamu, KENYA: Security bosses in Lamu want residents in places with an active curfews and movement restrictions to honor,respect and observe such to the latter.
They also insist that all vehicles both passenger and private vehicles coming or leaving Lamu county must stick to police secured convoys at all times in order to avert any crisis or regrets.
Speaking in Lamu on Tuesday,Linda Boni operation director Joseph Kanyiri and Lamu county commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said the government doesn’t plan on lifting the restrictions anytime soon for security reasons.
The two security bosses called on members of the public to respect the curfew and transport directives until peace and calm are restored or until the government lifts them.
On July 9 this year,acting Interior CS Fred Matiang’i imposed a 90 day dusk to dawn curfew in terror prone areas considered vulnerable to attacks including Basuba,Milimani,Mangai,Mararani,Kiangwe and Ishakani in Lamu East.
The curfew is expected to come to an end on October 9 this year.
The two bosses called on all people especially fishermen to adhere to the curfew for their own good.
“Fishermen here have been pushing wanting the curfew lifted so they carry out their business.We are understand their frustration but the security of this region comes first and so we wont be lifting the curfew anytime soon.Anyone found out outside during curfew time will be arrested,”said Kanyiri.
County commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said the number of Alshabaab attacks and killings in the county have reduced greatly since the curfew was imposed.
Kitiyo said patrols have been increased all over the county and called on members of the public to cooperate with security agencies to ensure peace is restored in Lamu.
“Through the cooperation of the public and the police,we shall win the war on Alshabaab.Whats of importance is for people to be patient but vigilant.Let all people respect the curfew and the transport directives.Let there be no deliberate hindrances and all shall we well.Respect for law is paramount,”said Kitiyo.
This comes days after stakeholders in the Fisheries,Trade and Tourism sectors sought to have the government lift the curfew saying it was killing the sectors.
