MPs against Lamu curfew extension

NAIROBI, KENYA: Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo has been asked to appear before a parliamentary committee next Tuesday to explain why he had to extend the curfew in Lamu for the third time.

Addressing journalists at Parliament Buildings Wednesday, MPs Agostinho Neto (Ndhiwa), Ken Okoth (Kibra), Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi), Rachel Ameso (Kakamega), Suleiman Dori (Mswambweni), Zulekha Hassan (nominated), Abdulswamad Sharrif (Mvita), and Sharrif Ali (Lamu East) said they would seek a full audit of the dusk-to-dawn curfew results or else prevail on Kimaiyo to order an immediate end to it.

They said for the three months the curfew has been in place the Lamu economy, which depends on fishing and tourism, had suffered a setback given most activities in the coastal towns happen at night.

"The Lamu economy is so bad right now to an extent that even if the curfew is lifted today, it will take us two years to recover," said Ali.

Okoth, who read a joint statement on behalf of the MPs, by virtue of his being in the parliamentary caucus on reforms, said the religious rights of many Lamu residents, who are predominantly Muslim, had been violated as they are denied a chance to perform their morning and evening prayers.

"Let him come to the committee on national security and table a report on the security benefits of the curfew," said Neto.