MUHURI, Haki Africa protest Lamu’s 10-year night roadblocks, cite rights violations
The organisations accuse security personnel of using the roadblocks to intimidate and harass motorists and residents, creating an atmosphere of fear that has disrupted livelihoods.
Civil society organisations and human rights lobby groups have urged the government to lift night roadblocks imposed between 6 p.m. and 7 am along the Lamu highway, saying the restrictions have crippled businesses and violated residents’ freedom of movement.
Groups including Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), Haki Africa, Vocal Africa, She Rises, and the Bajuni Council of Elders argue that the curfew-like measures have been in place for over a decade, effectively turning the highway into a no-go zone after dusk and inflicting economic hardship on law-abiding citizens.
“Every night, for more than ten years, the Lamu Highway has been under siege. Fishermen can’t reach the sea, traders can’t move their goods, and families live in fear of harassment at police barriers,” said MUHURI Board Member Khelef Khalifa.
Intimidation and harassment
The organisations accuse security personnel of using the roadblocks to intimidate and harass motorists and residents, creating an atmosphere of fear that has disrupted livelihoods — particularly for fishermen and small-scale traders who depend on early morning and late evening transport.
They further argue that the restrictions contravene Articles 27, 39, and 47 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality, freedom of movement, and fair administrative action.
Collective punishment
“The continued imposition of these roadblocks amounts to collective punishment rather than a targeted security intervention. It is unjust and unlawful,” reads part of the protest letter addressed to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and copied to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nunow Dubat, and Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech.
The lobby groups called on the government to restore unrestricted movement along the highway, insisting that residents are willing to cooperate in developing lawful and effective security measures that safeguard both lives and livelihoods.
Lamu residents have long endured tight security operations following sporadic militant attacks linked to the Al-Shabaab insurgency in neighbouring Somalia. However, locals now say that continued movement restrictions are doing more harm than good, stifling economic recovery and fuelling resentment towards security agencies.
“People just want to work and live in peace. We understand the need for security, but not at the expense of our livelihoods,” said Ali Omar.
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