[Deputy President William Ruto addressing Jubilee supporters in Mandera town. He has said the long standing curfew will be lifted during Ramadhan] [Photo/citizen.co.ke]
Mandera residents have something to smile about, after it was announced that the dawn to dusk curfew will be lifted during the holy month of Ramadhan.
The curfew has been there for the last eight months due to the security situation in region frequented by Al Shabaab attacks.
Speaking during a Jubilee vote hunt in Mandera on Sunday, Deputy President William Ruto said, “The holy month of Ramadhan is important and we are going to ensure no curfew will not prevent you from participating in the prayers,” he said.
The area residents with their leaders have requested the security forces with no success to suspend the curfew. The curfew was imposed after an attack on non-Muslims in a Mandera lodge on October 27 last year.
The dusk-to-dawn curfew has been blamed by residents, who say it hurts their businesses and also interferes with their right to pray.
The curfew has had successive extensions by the Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery with the area governor Ali Roba worried the curfew will interfere with the holy month. Mandera county commissioner Fredrick Shisia said the suspension will allow residents to take part in the Ramadhan prayers.