CS Matiang’i declares curfew Lamu after seven people killed
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i yesterday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in parts of Lamu County for the next 30 days following recent killings.
Matiang’i declared the affected areas as a “disturbed zone” and directed immediate deployment of a multi-agency security team to, to among other things, mop-up illegal firearms and track down the culprits.
“Incidents of criminal attacks that have led to the loss of seven innocent lives have been reported in Widho Sub-location, Majembeni Location of Lamu County.
The attacks have also occasioned the destruction of private property and unsettled residents in the affected and surrounding areas,” the CS said.
Local suspects
The National Security Council (NSC) met for the first time this year to discuss attacks.
After consultation with the Council, Matiang’i declared the area disturbed. Fingers are being pointed at locals.
Following the declaration, the Inspector General of Police has ordered that all armed persons surrender the firearms.
“Residents in the Disturbed Areas are requested to cooperate with the Security agencies and to share information on suspicious persons and activities,” Matiang’i said.
The affected areas in Lamu West Sub-County include Mukunumbi Division, Majembeni location, Ndamwe Location, Mkunumbi Location while in Witu Division the affected places include Pandanguo Location, Binde Warinde location, Witu location and Hamasi Location.
Houses torched
In Mpeketoni Division the affected areas include Bomani Location, Pongwe Location, Mpeketoni Location, Bahari Location and Mapenya Location in Lamu Central Sub-County. Hindi Division’s Hindi location will be affected.
The latest attack in the area was on Monday at Bobo-Sunkia village in the Hindi Division, Lamu West where one person was killed.
Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia said the attackers also torched two houses in the village before vanishing.
On Tuesday, five suspects were arrested over the Widhu Majembeni attack on Monday during which six people were killed, according to the Police spokesman Bruno Shioso.
“All the suspects are locals and we are talking to them to establish more about the attack. A team of detectives has been sent there to back up with locals to help in the operation,” he said.
