Government Set to Review Three-Year Curfew in Turkana as Security Situation Improves
The government has announced plans to revise the long-standing curfew in Turkana County following notable improvements in security across previously volatile areas. Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed the decision during his Jukwaa la Usalama tour in Lodwar, where he met regional and county security teams behind closed doors. The curfew, imposed over the last three years to contain insecurity along the Kakuma–Kalobeyei area and the Kainuk–Lodwar corridor, has drawn growing concern from residents and traders who say it has hurt livelihoods.
Murkomen said recent reports indicate a return to relative calm in Turkana South and Turkana East, prompting the government to reconsider restrictions that have been in place since 2023. He noted that the review will focus on extending movement hours, with the Kakuma–Kalobeyei curfew expected to shift to between 10 pm and 4 am. According to the CS, authorities will continue monitoring the situation, and if stability holds over the next three months, a full lifting of the orders may be considered. The curfew, introduced to restore order amid escalating banditry and tensions around the refugee settlements, has played a key role in curbing attacks but also disrupted transportation, trade, and local travel.
During the visit, Murkomen also addressed broader security challenges facing the region. These include National Police Reservist reforms, human-wildlife conflict, drug and substance abuse among youth, cross-border crime, and disputes along the Kenya–Uganda–South Sudan boundaries. He emphasized that Turkana’s vast size and complex geography make it one of the most challenging regions to police, especially given porous borders that facilitate illegal arms movement and cattle rustling. Leaders from the county urged the ministry to prioritize long-term interventions even as immediate restrictions are eased.
Looking ahead, the CS said the government will intensify multi-agency operations and strengthen community-police collaboration under the Shirika Plan, which guides refugee management and integration. He assured residents that future decisions will be based strictly on security assessments and community feedback. The Jukwaa la Usalama forums will continue across the region, with the ministry expected to announce a detailed review framework and timelines in the coming weeks.