Night curfew is affecting our economy, Lamu leaders say

Lamu, Kenya: Leaders in Lamu yesterday met to discuss the effects of insecurity and the curfew imposed three months ago on the county’s economy.

The meeting, which was convened by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Chair Francis ole Kaparo, recommended that peace meetings be convened throughout the county to restore harmony among communities.

Kaparo said the Lamu attacks threatened the unity of communities living in the area and urged leaders to initiate peace talks.

“Terrorists are responsible for the imposition of the curfew and collapse of tourism and other businesses. Grassroots leaders should promote peace and co-existence,” he said.

Timely information

He promised to convey a plea by some residents that the curfew be lifted in some parts of Lamu, including the islands, to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The leaders’ meeting was attended by Lamu County Commissioner Njenga Miiri, Governor Issa Issa Timamy, Deputy Governor Eric Mugo and Senator Abubakar Chiaba.

Mr Miiri said the curfew would be sustained because reports from Mangai and Pandanguo areas showed that the attackers could still be in Lamu. He asked residents to be friendly to the police and to report suspects promptly, saying in one incident, police got information 48 hours later.

“From the reports we have, the attackers could still be in Lamu. We cannot compare the Lamu attacks and the one in Westgate where terrorists left immediately. There are signs that the enemy is still within Lamu and I urge residents to integrate with police officers and to give timely information,” Miiri said.

Timamy said the Lamu attacks occurred because police officers failed to respond promptly and urged security officers to work closely with the residents.

The governor asked the National Government to consider lifting the curfew in some areas which were not affected by the recent attacks to help the local economy. “Security is paramount but the curfew should be focused on areas facing attacks and not the entire county,” he said.

Relief food

Meanwhile, hoteliers in Lamu said there have been no foreign tourists in the area since July. Keziah Mumbi, the manager of Romantic Hotels in Lamu, said they have reduced the workforce from 70 to only 10. “We have been relying on workers sent by various organisations to work in Lamu. Tourism is currently dead,” Mumbi said.

Flights to Manda Airstrip in Lamu have dropped from about six a day to one or two following the slump in business.

Lamu Deputy Speaker Azhar Mbarak said if the curfew is not lifted in the next two months, locals will be forced to rely on relief food.

“Children have dropped out of school because their parents cannot raise school fees after sectors of the economy collapsed following the curfew,” he said.