Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that the government will review the long-standing curfew in Turkana County, citing improved security in the region.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lodwar after a closed-door regional and county security meeting held under the “Jukwaa la Usalama” tour, Murkomen said the curfew imposed over the last three years could be adjusted to allow locals more freedom of movement.
The CS 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
The review will extend the time to 10 pm and 4 am in respect of the March 2025 Kakuma Kalobeyei curfew and 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, the Murkomen addressed a myriad of issues touching on refugees’ status and implementation of 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.