Police cause disruption ahead of Issa Timamy’s tour of Lamu

Issa Timamy’s tour of Lamu has taken him to Lamu town and several villages. Business at Mpeketoni town came to a standstill for more than three hours after police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse a crowd that had gathered for a rally called by former Lamu governor Issa Timamy on Saturday. Mr Timamy says he is speaking out against massive land grabbing in the county. Police sources said that Mr Timamy had been warned against holding the rally.

Hundreds of supporters had converged at Mpeketoni’s new stage to meet the ex-governor only to be chased away by the police. Mr Timamy has been on a week-long tour of Lamu County to thank them for their support during his petition against current governor, a battle he lost at the Supreme Court. His tour has taken him to Lamu town, Ndau village in Lamu East as well as Witu, Katsaka Kairu and Maisha Masha villages. This is Timamy’s first public appearance in the region since he lost the governor’s seat to Fahim Twaha in 2017.

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On Saturday, security roadblocks on the Lamu-Mpeketoni road were abruptly set up with police checking every vehicle that passed Mokowe heading to Mpeketoni. It is alleged that they were searching for Timamy to stop him from attending the rally. Speaking early Sunday morning, Mr Timamy expressed disappointment over the move by the security department to treat him like an intruder.

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Mr Timamy said he had even informed the police prior to the meeting at Mpeketoni and that he was expecting them to provide security during the rally. “I had earlier informed the area OCS about the meeting and we were only expecting them to provide security. Why then do they resolve to fight us? They increased the number of roadblocks on the road. That’s unfair,” said Mr Timamy.

He accused some land cartels and his political rivals for colluding with the police to frustrate his bid to serve Lamu people.“I have been very vocal on the issue of land grabbing in Lamu. We currently have massive land grabbing going on in various parts of Lamu. Since I began my tour to this region, I have been pointing out such evil deeds and that’s why the land grabbers are worried,” said Mr Timamy.

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