Calm in Mpeketoni, Hindi as locals adjust to curfew

Mpeketoni, Kenya: Calm has returned to Mpeketoni and Hindi towns in Lamu as residents learn to adjust their lifestyles to accommodate the dusk to dawn curfew.

Although they work fewer hours to make way for night security operations, the residents say they can now sleep peacefully.

Traders spend time at the market, schools are in session and farmers are busy harvesting their crop. But on the islands, tourism is reported to be at its lowest ebb as foreign tourist bookings have not been made since July.

National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman Francis ole Kaparo told the residents to safeguard the peace so far achieved and tone down utterances with ethnic undertones.

Mr Kaparo spoke when he toured the area and signed a peace deal at a meeting organised by the Kenya Red Cross Society for peace building in the county.

“The enemy invaded Lamu County and planted a seed of discord. You now need to safeguard jealously the fragile peace,” Kaparo said.

SLOW BUSINESS

Although the usually busy Mpeketoni market opens at 6.30am instead of 4am, residents are happy that no attacks have been reported since the curfew was imposed. They even want it prolonged by a year.

“Security is very important. Business has slowed down since Mpeketoni was attacked but we are happy that we can open our premises and attend to our farms. We are rehabilitating the burnt houses although with some difficulty,” said businessman Samuel Kahora.

Margaret Wanjiru, a businesswoman who survived the night attack while she was at her restaurant, Delicious Café, said it was better to operate safely for 12 hours than work 24 hours in an insecure environment.

“I survived the gun attack by the grace of God. After that, I could not sleep until the curfew was imposed. It should continue until we are sure there are no more attacks,” she said.

Boda boda operator Samuel Kahiga said they could now operate without fear of being attacked because of the heavy presence of security personnel.

James Kariuki, a businessman and resident of Hindi, which was also attacked, supports the curfew but complained some officers were storming hotels and homes to harass residents.

“We like the curfew but it should not be interpreted to mean a time of harassment,” he argued.

LAND ISSUES

 

Hindi resident Hindu Abdalla supports a sustained curfew, saying it will facilitate security operations and peace-building efforts.

“There has been negative talk about ethnicity in the area and differences over land distribution. There is need for peace building, which can be done during the curfew period,” Ms Abdalla said.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said the curfew should be eased to allow for more economic activities such as tourism.

However, Lamu County Commissioner Njenga Miiri said the curfew had been extended because there were threats of attacks.

“No government wishes to impose a curfew on its people but the situation in Lamu has not normalised,” he said.

The Inspector General of police extended the curfew to October 23.