Lamu leaders fault David Kimaiyo's curfew extension

Lamu County leaders have faulted Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo for extending the dusk-to-dawn curfew in the area.

Lamu East MP Ali Athman Sharif said the order will affect the fishing industry and many businesses in Lamu Town.

Mr Sharif said the curfew should have been restricted to areas more prone to insecurity and not the entire Lamu County.

He argued that fishermen and most businesspeople in the county carry out most of their work at night.

“The curfew extension is a big blow to our fishermen in Kizingitini, Faza, Mbwajumwali and the entire Lamu East District. Most of them depend on fishing at night for their survival,” said Mr Shariff.

The legislator also blamed the national government for failing to consult local leaders before taking actions that affects their people.

MAPPED OUT

“I think they are taking advantage of us. We are in support of the curfew, but I think it would be better to be mapped only in affected areas such as Mpeketoni, Hindi and Witu. Places like Lamu and the East district to be relieved of the curfew,” said Mr Sharif.

Lamu County Woman Representative Shakilla Abdalla said there was no need to extend the curfew.

She said many sectors, including tourism and fishing, had been disrupted by the order.

Mrs Shakilla said fishing and tourism industries were the backbone of Lamu’s economy.

“Curfew is unnecessary. If Kimaiyo saw the need of the curfew, then he should have mapped it. It should exist only in certain areas of this county and not the whole of Lamu,” she said.

She added: “Our people come crying to us, but there is nothing we can do. We are not consulted in decisions concerning security. This means our duty is to implement what they come up with. It’s unfair.”

AL-SHABAAB 'HAS WON'
Lamu Tourism Association (LTA) deputy chairman Ghalib Ahmed Alwy called the curfew extension a plot to 'kill’ the economy of Lamu.

Mr Alwy said Al-Shabaab has indirectly "won" the war by forcing the government of Kenya to destroy the Lamu economy and take away people’s freedom.

“Sixty days of curfew are too long for Lamu, which depends much on tourism and fishing. This is enough time to kill the two sectors. Tourism and fishing are now a thing of the past. No tourist is willing to visit Lamu because of lack of freedom,” said Mr Ghalib.

He urged the government to rescind the order.

“I know Kimaiyo has already done his part and we cannot do anything. What I urge the government (to do) is to have mercy on the Lamu Town businessmen, tour guides in Shella and the fishermen in Lamu East. Let the curfew be lifted in those areas. They were not affected,” added Mr Ghalib.