The Star
Sunday, April 28, 2013
The government will not lift the curfew imposed in Tana River following ethnic clashes in the county.
Speaking to Coast leaders at Mombasa State House on Thursday evening,
President Uhuru said security agencies are monitoring the situation
before considering lifting the ban.
“We are still assessing the situation and appropriate decisions will
be reached after touring the area,” said Uhuru. A section of Tana River
residents led by governor Hussein Dado said the dust–to-dawn curfew has
caused huge economic loses.
Dado said most businesses in the area have been affected because they
are not allowed to operate past 6pm. “We are appealing to the
government to lift the ban. Peace has been restored and the Orma and
Pokomo have reconciled,” he said.
Lamu governor Issa Timamy appealed to the president to lift the
fishing ban at Kenya-Somalia border in Kiunga. “Since the successful
operation in Somalia no attack has been reported. We ask the government
to lift the fishing ban,” said Timamy.
According to police sources, many illegal firearms are still in the
hands of militia blamed for the violence in the Tana Delta. A major
disarmament operation led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Angelus
Karuru failed.
“Armed militia from both communities did not honour the government's
ultimatum to surrender their weapons and the forceful disarmament
succeed,” said a senior police officer.
A senior GSU officer told the Star that rifles belonging to nine GSU,
AP, and regular police officers brutally murdered on September 9 2012
at Kilelengwani are still in the hands of militia.
The ethnic clashes forced the government to dispatch more than 2,500
GSU officers to quell the chaos that left more than 200 people dead,
many injured and thousands displaced. Although the conflict was quelled,
officers still patrol the area.
Among those who attended the meeting include Internal Security PS
Mutea Iringo, Mombasa governor Hassan Joho, Kilifi governor Amason
Kingi, Dado, Taita Taveta governor John Muruti ,Mombasa senator Hassan
Omar among others. Kingi challenged Uhuru not to sideline the region
based on political realignment during the March 4 election.