By PAUL GITAU
TANA RIVER: A section of Tana Delta residents in Tana River County is now appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta to lift a curfew imposed late last year.
Tana Delta experienced deadly tribal clashes between the Pokomo and Orma communities leading to the deaths of more than 200 people.
Locals said the curfew imposed by retired President Kibaki has seen them incur huge economic loses as they have been forced to remain indoors from 6pm until morning.
Led by area legislator Ibrahim Sane, residents claimed yesterday that calm had been restored and that the curfew was no longer necessary.
No attacks
“It is more than three months now and there are no more attacks that have been experienced in the area,” he said.
The MP made the remarks in Garsen after holding talks with the District Security Committee (DSC). Mr Sane claimed members of the Pokomo and Orma communities had put aside their differences and were now in peaceful co-existence.
“I would like to appeal to President Uhuru to lift the curfew as it has already successfully served its purpose so that normal business can continue in the district,” he said.
Peak of clashes
At the peak of the clashes last year, former President Kibaki was forced to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew, as most of the attacks were occurring early in the morning and it is believed that the attackers organised raids at night.
The former President also dispatched more than 2,500 General Service Unit officers to quell the chaos that left more than 200 people dead, scores injured and more than 2,500 houses torched.
Consequently, more than 15,000 people were left homeless after their houses were burnt down and another 15,000 fled to the neighbouring districts due to insecurity. At the moment, normalcy has resumed and those who had fled their homes have returned.
