Mandera locals want curfew lifted ahead of Ramadan

Police patrol car in Mandera town. The locals want the government to lift curfew ahead of Ramadhan. (Courtesy)

MANDERA—Deputy President William Ruto is today expected in Mandera County as the residents want him to make a major announcement—an end to the curfew during the Ramadhan.

The matter was earlier raised by the governor, Ali Roba who is the Jubilee candidate for the county top job.

”We will ask the government to lift the curfew during the Ramadhan,” he said at a rally at Elwak.

The government has for the third time extended the Mandera dusk-to-dawn curfew, citing security problems.

Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery extended the curfew for another 90 days until June 23.

Mandera Township MCA Feisal Abdinoor told the Star that the curfew had curtailed business and drained the area economically.

“There is nowhere in the world use of curfew has brought lasting peace. Unless we engage the community, the current peace may not last after the curfew ends,” he said.

Several civil orgernisations have threatened to challenge the renewed curfew order, saying it goes against the grain of freedom of movement and association.

In a Special Gazette Notice, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said the order applies to Mandera Town, Omar Jillo, Arabia, Fino, Lafey Kotulo, Elwak and the environs of the said locations extending to 20 kilometres from the Kenya-Somalia Border.

“Every person who resides in the said areas shall except in accordance with the terms and conditions of a written permit granted by the respective Deputy County Commissioner for the affected areas remain indoors in the premises at which they reside or at such other premises as may be authorised,” he said.

The curfew followed the killing of 12 people at a hotel in Mandera late last year.

The attack was a second in Mandera in less than three weeks with the Al Shabaab group claiming responsibility.