Deputy President William Ruto has announced that the curfew imposed in Mandera County after last year’s killings will be lifted during the month of Ramadhan.
Ruto said the curfew will be lifted to enable Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadhan which is set to begin on Saturday, May 27.
“The holy month of Ramadhan is important. The curfew will be lifted to give an opportunity for Muslims to worship and pray for this country,” he said.
Ruto said security agencies will enhance security throughout the country during the holy month, adding that the security officials have been briefed on the matter and that the government is committed to improving security in the county.
Speaking during a Jubilee Party rally in Mandera town, the DP said the government will employ 150 Kenya Police Reservists to secure parts of the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera.
The curfew was first imposed last year in October 2016 after Al-Shabaab gunmen killed 12 people at the Bishaaro Hotel in Mandera Town.
The curfew was then extended by three months in December 26, 2016 ending on March 28, 2017 only to be extended by another three months up to June 28, 2017.
The 6.30am/6.30pm curfew has affected people living in Mandera Town, Omar Jillo, Arabia, Fino, Lafey Kotulo, Elwak and the environs extending to 20km from the Kenya-Somalia border.