Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has opposed the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in parts of county.
Speaking in Masalani town during his campaign trail, Nathif said the curfew was unjustified and out of touch.He said Matiang’i had imposed the curfew in areas that had no record of insecurity cases while areas where many IED attacks had been reported had been exempted.
“The curfew suspends the Constitutional right to assemble by punishing the misdeeds of the few through the theft of constitutionally protected rights of the many,” Jama said on Tuesday.
“Any order restricting constitutional rights must clearly communicate to the public when and where it will apply, articulate valid justifications for the restrictions, and provide ample alternative locations where people may gather to conduct their day to day activities."
As such, he said: “I, therefore, call on the CS to rescind his order declaring a curfew and restore to the people of Masalani and other affected areas the full protections secured by the Constitution and other laws.”
In a gazette notice on Sunday, Matiang'i said the order shall be effected from July 9, to October 9, 2017 during the hours of darkness between 6.30pm in the evening and 6.30am in the morning.
Hulugho border point, Galmagala, Sangailu, Masalani, Bodhai, Ijara in Garissa County are among the areas where the curfew will apply.Other areas include Milimani, Baure, Basuba, Mangai and Maralani, Hola, Garsen, Kipini, Kiunga and Ishakani/ Dar-es-Salaam border point in Tana River and Lamu counties.
[Jama when he met elders in Garissa town on Tuesday.] facebook.com