Roundup: Kenya imposes monthlong curfew in Mandera after terror attack

The Kenyan government on Thursday imposed a 12-hour curfew in the border region of Mandera following an Al-Shabaab terror attack at a guest house that left 12 dead.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery in a Kenya Gazette Notice said the regulation required people to remain indoors between 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. in towns of Mandera, Omar Jillo, Arabia, Fino, Lafey Kotulo, Elwak and the environs extending to 20 kilometers from the Kenya-Somalia border.

The order will come into effect on Oct. 27 and last until Dec. 27, according to the gazette, which was issued two days after the militants killed 12 Kenyans in Mandera town.

The attackers used improvised explosive devices to break the metallic doors at the lodge before killing the 12 Kenyans in their rooms.

Among the people killed in the Tuesday attack were ten non-locals who had visited the town for performances at schools.

The terror group has carried out several attacks in Mandera. On Oct. 6, six people were killed after the militants attacked a residential plot in Bulla public works in Mandera town.

Mandera Governor Ali Roba said he could not request additional security personnel as they are afraid of carrying out patrols.

Instead, Roba asked the government to dispatch 300 police reservists to boost the county's security. "The border security programme should also be fast-tracked," he said.

Nkaissery said Wednesday that the Interior ministry was collaborating with the military to set up a border command unit in Mandera.

He added that they will also boost security along Mandera-Lamu border, which is prone to attacks due to its proximity to Somalia where the militants are based.

Mandera residents have received the curfew with mixed reactions as some say the move will improve security while others questioned its effect.

"We welcome the curfew since it will help improve security which has been at its low this year. I think it will help stabilize Mandera," said Adan Haji Banja, a local trader.

Another resident Ibrahim Jelle, however, said the move would not do anything to improve security as curfew had been there before and nothing had improved.

He asked the government to coordinate security agents in the region to improve the runaway insecurity in the area. Endit