NASA sues Matiang'i over Lamu, Garissa and Tana River curfew

Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet during the launch of 5Y EDM chopper at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport on Tuesday July 25 2017. The chopper is part of the government’s plan to transport troops and senior government officials in the forthcoming General elections.{David Njaaga, Standard}

Residents have gone to court to seek orders compelling the acting Interior Cabinet Secretary to lift a curfew on three counties.

The petitioners from Lamu, Garissa, and Tana River, through  opposition coalition NASA, said the dawn-to-dusk curfew would affect voting on August 8. They said the curfew would delay voting.

Respondents in the petition include Dr Fred Matiang'i, the Inspector General of Police, the National Police Service, and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Lawyer Arnold Oginga said NASA agents and the public would be locked out of polling stations and tallying centres if the curfew remains in place.

"The applicant is apprehensive the actions shall compromise the integrity of the forthcoming General Election dated August 8 2017, and thereby result in infringement of its political rights, as guaranteed in article 38 of the constitution," said Oginga.

He told Justice Erick Ogola that the curfew should be lifted before the election date. The lawyer claimed that the curfew is illegal because it was declared without following the correct procedure.

The affected areas include Holugho, Galmagala, Sangailu, Masalani, and Bodhei. The case will be heard on August 1. [Joackim Bwana and Mkamburi Mwawasi]