Reservists demand G3 rifles to resume duty

More than 40 Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) who surrendered their guns to police fearing they would be attacked by militants terrorising residents of Lamu and Tana River counties now want modern Heckler & Koch G3 rifles before they return to work.

Officials at police headquarters revealed the homeguards are reluctant to resume work and want to be supplied with powerful guns instead of the older Lee Enfield Mark 4s they surrendered.

"They have made a demand to be given more powerful guns like G3s for their operations in the area and we are yet to meet and discuss the matter," said a senior officer aware of the intrigues there.

The KPRs returned the weapons last week saying they fear to be harmed or killed by the militants still operating there. A chief and his assistant said they have been receiving reports and threats of attacks targeting them because they are armed.

There are more than 50 KPRs in the area. Six KPRs had two weeks ago been attacked and robbed of their guns as they prayed at a local mosque in Pandanguo.

The development came as police imposed a curfew in Lamu County to address increasing insecurity. Inspector General of Police  David Kimaiyo said he issued the curfew in accordance with Section 8 (1) of the Public Order Act.

Kimaiyo said Lamu all residents wouldl remain indoors during the curfew period unless one had a written permit from the County Commander of Police.

"Due to the rising insecurity in Lamu County I do hereby issue curfew orders within Lamu County from July 20 to August 2014 from 6.30pm to 6.30am," Kimaiyo said on Saturday.

More than 100 people have been killed in Lamu and hundreds displaced in attacks in the past month alone.