NAIROBI, Kenya, May 2 -Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi on Monday announced a dusk to dawn curfew in Marsabit following cases of insecurity in the bandit-prone area which recently led to the loss of five lives including that of an area chief.
Speaking after chairing a security meeting at the General Service Unit Headquarters, Matiangi said the curfew which will be in force for the next 30 days will also allow security agencies to deal with the illegal proliferation of firearms in Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
“The kind of beastly act we have seen in that area must come to an end. We are now ready, prepared, and available to address that clean-up in Marsabit once and for all. We are prepared for its challenges. It is not going to be easy and we are not going there to be popular, we are going there to solve a problem,” said Matiangi.
“We are always happy to be right than to be popular. That nonsense has gone on for far too long and we cannot stomach it anymore. We have to bring that place to order and the work begins now.”
The CS stated that the movement restrictions will allow security teams to contain the ongoing criminal activities in the region.
The activities, he said, are being carried out by unnamed groups including those linked to terrorism.
Matiangi ordered a crackdown on illegal mining activities which seem to support the rise in insecurity.
“We have noticed a nexus between the proliferation of illegal firearms in Marsabit and some activities in the neighboring Isiolo County. There some illegal mining activities that are going on and seem to be funding terrorists,” Matiangi said.
Matiangi further declared Kom Sub-location in Isiolo County as a disturbed area for the next 30 days adding that the government has been moving security resources in the area to deal with suspected bandits.
He revealed that the government had initially called for talks with leaders from the region and given them one week to restore calm in the region. However, the leaders failed to do so, leading to an increase in attacks in the county.
