Human rights defenders from MUHURI, Vocal Africa, Haki Africa, She Rises and Save Lamu say security agencies blocked their convoy from accessing Lamu at night despite a High Court order lifting restrictions on night travel along the Malindi-Minjilla-Lamu road, setting the stage for a fresh confrontation over security and civil liberties in the region.
LAMU, County—Human rights defenders drawn from several civil society organisations were on Saturday night blocked from proceeding to Lamu during a fact-finding mission aimed at assessing compliance with a recent High Court order that lifted restrictions on night travel along the Malindi-Minjilla-Lamu road.
The delegation, which included officials from MUHURI, Vocal Africa, Haki Africa, She Rises and activists from Lamu County, left Mombasa on Saturday evening and was later joined in Malindi by a team of Lamu-based activists led by Save Lamu Chairman Mohammed Lali Somo.
The convoy of more than ten vehicles was travelling towards Lamu when it was stopped at Idoswe, a few metres from Gamba Police Station, where security officers reportedly informed the group that night travel remained prohibited and that road barricades would not be removed.
Members of the delegation said they spent several hours engaging security personnel, including officers from various security agencies and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in an effort to gain passage. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful and they were ultimately forced to abandon the mission and return to Mombasa on Sunday morning.
Speaking at the scene, Save Lamu Chairperson Mohammed Lali Somo criticised security agencies for what he termed as failure to comply with a court directive that had ordered the reopening of the road for night travel.
Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid said the incident raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to the rule of law.
“The decision to stop human rights defenders from proceeding to Lamu despite a valid court order demonstrates a worrying disregard for the rule of law and judicial authority. Court orders are not suggestions; they are binding directives that must be respected by all state agencies,” said Khalid.
Economic sabotage
She Rises Executive Director Salma Hemed argued that Lamu residents have endured years of economic hardship as a result of restrictions imposed on the road and questioned why the situation appeared unchanged despite the court ruling.
“For more than a decade, the people of Lamu have faced economic challenges linked to restrictions on movement and transport. It is disappointing that despite a court order aimed at reopening the region economically, these barriers remain in place,” she said.
The latest standoff comes weeks after the High Court in Garsen issued conservatory orders suspending the enforcement of restrictions that had banned night travel along the Malindi-Minjilla-Lamu corridor.
Court battle
In a ruling delivered on May 21, 2026, Justice Jesse Nyaga ordered the suspension of measures imposed under the Public Order (Curfew) (Lamu, Garissa and Tana River Counties) Order, 2017, including restrictions on night travel and security barriers along the route.
The petition had been filed by residents and rights activists who argued that the restrictions had negatively affected economic activities and freedom of movement in the region.
However, the government has challenged the ruling.
Through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the State moved back to court seeking to suspend the implementation of the orders, arguing that roads linking Lamu, Tana River and Garissa counties continue to face security threats that justify the restrictions.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has maintained that security concerns remain a significant challenge in the region and that the government must remain vigilant in protecting residents and travellers from potential threats.
Despite being unable to complete their journey, the human rights defenders vowed to continue pushing for full implementation of the court orders, including the removal of road barricades at Gamba and the restoration of night travel to Lamu.
The groups insisted that respect for court decisions is essential to upholding constitutional rights and restoring public confidence in state institutions.
