Enhanced security conditions prompt a revaluation of the curfew in Turkana
The government of Kenya has announced plans to review the curfew in Turkana County, reflecting improvements in the security situation. This decision comes following a meeting led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who was accompanied by several local leaders.
The review aims to consider lifting the curfew orders in three months if conditions continue to improve. In the meantime, the review will extend operating hours under the Kakuma-Kalobeyei curfew, imposed in March 2025, and the Kainuk-Maliza Uhalifu directive, initiated in February 2023.
The new operating hours under the review will be from 10 PM to 4 AM, replacing the previous restrictions that had been in place for the past three years. This relaxation is significant, as the Kainuk area previously had a 6 AM to 6 PM curfew.
The adjustment is expected to allow businesses to operate longer, potentially boosting economic activity and improving quality of life for residents. With later curfew hours, residents and visitors may engage in more nighttime activities, contributing to a more vibrant community life.
The decision to review the curfew is based on improved security, which could enhance residents' and visitors' confidence in moving around the area at night. The review does not extend operating hours beyond 10 p.m. - 4 a.m., and it does not involve any other regions or counties apart from Turkana.
It is important to note that the review does not affect the Jukwaa la Usalama, Kakuma-Kalobeyei, or Kainuk-Maliza Uhalifu directives. Residents and businesses along the Kainuk-Lodwar road have previously expressed concerns about the curfews, and this review may give locals more time as the situation is being monitored.
The review of the curfews in Turkana is due to a return of relative calm in Turkana South and East. However, no new information regarding the review's timeline or outcome was provided in this announcement. The government encourages residents to continue adhering to the current curfew regulations until further updates are announced.
The review of the curfew in Turkana County, as part of the policy-and-legislation changes, aims to boost economic activity in the region by allowing businesses to operate longer hours. This move, facilitated by political decisions, is expected to improve the quality of life for residents by enabling more nighttime activities.
