Murkomen says government to review curfew imposed in Turkana

The government is set to review the curfew imposed in the last three years to curb the runaway insecurity in Turkana, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

This follows a close-door regional and county security meeting during the Jukwaa la Usalama tour of the county.

He noted that a return of relative calm in the disturbed areas, especially Turkana South and East, made the review necessary.

"I will be reviewing the curfew timing based on the security briefing to give locals more time as we monitor the situation. In three months, if the conditions become good, we might consider lifting the orders,” Murkomen said at a media briefing in Lodwar on Wednesday, July 16.

The review will extend the time to 10 pm and 4 am in respect of the March 2025 Kakuma-Kalobeyei curfew and the February 2023 Kainuk-Maliza Uhalifu.

The curfew and movement restriction were imposed following security concerns to restore peace and order in the region, especially in Kakuma Refugee camp and Kalobeyei settlement.

The curfew along the Kainuk-Lodwar road has been enforced since then, resulting in complaints by locals and business people.

Similarly, Murkomen addressed a myriad of issues touching on refugees’ status and implementation of the Shirika plan, National Police Reservist reforms, banditry, boundary and border disputes, as well as human-wildlife conflict.

The CS noted that Turkana is one of the largest counties with a vast population and facing complex security challenges.

Other issues raised include drug and substance abuse as well as mental health challenges among the young, challenges he said were made worse by the porous borders.

He spoke in Lodwar, Turkana at the start of the Jukwaa la Usalama consultative engagement on issues security, refugees status (Shirika plan) and the government service delivery.