Kimaiyo extends Lamu curfew by a month to December 24

NAIROBI, KENYA: Inspector General of police David Kimaiyo has extended the Lamu curfew for the fourth time by a month to December 24.

The curfew orders were first issued in July when up to 100 people were killed and thousands displaced by gunmen in attacks in the area.

The dusk-to-dawn has drawn criticism from religious leaders and politicians with some claiming it has far reaching effectes on Lamu County economy.

Addressing journalists at Parliament Buildings recently, 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 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.

Government and some local leaders have however maintained the directive is important for the security of the town.