Marsabit residents hail dusk to dawn curfew

The Government’s decision to place a dusk to dawn curfew in Marsabit County has been met with mixed reactions by residents, with majority hailing the move.

As many commended the action aimed at containing run-away armed crime, some were skeptical that the security operation would be successful.

The residents also felt that deployment of the military to deal with militia said to be armed with guns and other illegal weapons, could have been more appropriate.

Nura Dida alias ‘Mpenda Amani’, who is a proprietor in the public transport sector, supported the government’s move, saying it would bear fruits if well executed.

Mr Dida said if the cooperation of members of the public will be sought, the insecurity situation would be adequately addressed.

He appealed to the interior CS Fred Matiang’i, to look into the welfare of PSV operators and travelers, by ensuring those arriving late at their destinations are guided to their homes without harassment.

“We fully support this curfew declaration and the operation to mop up illegal firearms in wrong hands,” he said adding that life of locals has been disrupted for a very long time.

Mache Musa Ado, a trader in Marsabit town, expressed concern that business would be adversely affected as they are used to operating late in the evening as the town is a transit one.

He pointed out that many of the fatal attacks by armed criminals have been happening during the day and as such did not see the essence of the night curfew.

However, Ms Susan Adan welcomed the curfew and security operation saying the economy of the town and the county in general had been brought to its knees by insecurity.

She called on the government not to relent on the effort to normalize the situation in the county adding the women and children have been the hardest hit.

“Schools have been closed down while our economic activities have collapsed due to insecurity and that is why everybody should support the government action to pacify this county,” she said.

Marsabit County Commissioner Paul Rotich said the security operation was aimed at flushing out armed criminals, who if allowed could transform into terror groups.

Mr Rotich warned that the government was determined to restore sanity in the region and asked those in possession of illicit weapons to surrender them to the authorities without delay.

The County Commissioner assured the residents of their safety during the 30 day security operation and urged for continued cooperation.

He said the operation would be conducted professionally and with a human face.