Matiang’i Imposes 3-Month Curfew in Three Counties Hours after Appointment as Interior Cabinet Secretary

Hours after his appointment as acting Interior Cabinet Secretary to replace fallen Joseph Nkaissery, Fred Matiangi has hit the ground running by imposing a ninety-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in the counties of Lamu, Tana River and Garissa to contain Al Shabaab insurgence.

In a gazette notice on Saturday, Matiang’i announced the order that will take effect from July 9 to October 9, 2017, as the government moves to turn around the security situation in parts of the three counties following a series of attacks by the militants.

“This order shall apply during the hours of darkness between the period of 6.30pm in the evening and 6.30am in the morning,” Matiang’i said.

Holugho Border Point, Galmagala, Sangailu, Masalani, Bodehei, Milimani, Baure, Basuba, Mangai Maralani, Ijara, Hola, Garsen, Kipini, Kiunga and Ishakani/ Dar-es-Salaam Border Point are some of the areas where the curfew applies.

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

The order comes barely a day after Al Shabaab Militants butchered nine people in Jima and Poromoko villages in Lamu County. The victims, all men, were beheaded using knives just two kilometers from Pandanguo, where another attack on police station was conducted on Wednesday leaving three officers dead.