Lamu woman representative Shakilla Abdalla joins Agikuyu traditional dancers during the annual Lamu cultural festival on Faza Island, May 24, 2017. /ALPHONCE GARI
Lamu leaders have welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta's order to lift a ban on night fishing but asked him not to use it as a campaign tool.
The leaders said the night curfew, which had been in place for seven years, had affected the economy as fishing is residents' main source of income.
The President announced the end of the ban while on a tour of the region on Wednesday.
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Lamu woman representative
Shakilla
Abdalla said the government should compensate fishermen who suffered as a result of the ban.
"The
areas worst affected include Kiunga, Mkokoni, Ndau,
Faza and Kizingitini where residents depend
entirely
on fishing for livelihood," she said.
But she added:
“The President should not use this to campaign for his re-election. The [order should remain] even after the elections."
She spoke on Faza
Island in Lamu East during the second annual cultural festival on Wednesday.
Abdallah also asked the government to fast-track
stalled economic projects that give the impression the region is marginalised
The legislator, who is also Wiper deputy leader, called on the Lamu residents to exercise political tolerance during the campaign period.
“Some of my opponents in the are using security machinery in the county to intimidate my staff,’’ she said.
