Mombasa-Lamu night buses return after more than a decade

Bus companies operating along the Mombasa-Lamu route have announced the resumption of night travel services following a High Court decision suspending the implementation of the 15-year-old curfew in parts of Lamu County.

Tawakal Bus Services on Monday announced the return of nightly operations between Mombasa and Lamu for the first time in more than a decade. In a statement, the company said buses will depart daily from both Lamu and Mombasa at 9 p.m.

The announcement came as civil society leaders called on the government to fully implement the court order, saying some roadblocks had yet to be removed, signaling delays in enforcing the ruling.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday May 24, Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) director Khelef Khalifa said the continued enforcement of restrictions despite the court order was unlawful.

“There should never be permanent roadblocks in the country because they are not provided for under the law. The court already ruled that those roads should be opened,” he said.

Khalifa praised the ruling by Garsen High Court Judge Jesse Nyagah, saying it would help restore normalcy for Lamu residents.

“We thank the High Court in Garsen for its fair ruling, for hearing our concerns, and for coming to the rescue,” he said.

“For 12 difficult years, fishermen, farmers, patients seeking emergency medical care, business people, pregnant women, and other residents were unable to travel into and out of Lamu between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.,” he added.

Bajun community leader Omar Shariff, one of the petitioners in the case, described the suspension of the curfew as a major relief, saying the restrictions had disrupted economic activities and affected traders who rely on night transport.

“Our economy and way of life suffered for too long because of the night travel ban. While the rest of the world is embracing a 24-hour economy, Lamu residents remain restricted,” he said.

Shariff noted that while residents appreciated the prevailing security concerns, it was important to ensure that freedom of movement was not curtailed. He added that local communities were ready to work closely with security agencies to maintain peace and stability.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Executive Director of She Rises said the curfew had caused severe hardship, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and small-scale traders.

“There were expectant mothers who fell ill at night and required urgent referral to Malindi, but families were forced to wait until morning because of the restrictions. Business people were equally affected as the movement of goods and transport was disrupted,” she said.

The dusk-to-dawn curfew in parts of Lamu County was introduced following a series of attacks by Somalia-based militant group Al-Shabaab.

On Friday, the Garsen High Court suspended the continued enforcement of the curfew pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Justice Nyagah directed that the suspension remain in force pending the inter partes hearing of the application filed on April 8, 2026.

The petition was filed by Beach Management Unit chairman Abubakar Mohamed Twalib, Bajun community patron Omar Shariff Ali, and 22 others against the Interior Cabinet Secretary, the Inspector General of Police, and seven other respondents.