GLANCE FACTS
The situation
Travelers from Siaya on their way to Nairobi had to stop their journey in Kisumu
Markets were also affected as all the traders closed down their stalls for fear of looting
Protestors hurled stones at police officers and barricaded roads
A bodaboda operator goes round a bonfire in Kisumu when protests broke out, on
By Rushdie Oudia and James Omoro
KISUMU; KENYA: Police in parts of Nyanza Province had a difficult time controlling angry residents protesting the declaration of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta’s election as valid.
Groups of rioters took to the streets in Kisumu Migori, and Homa Bay counties immediately the Supreme Court presided by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, delivered its historic verdict.
Police in Kisumu were forced to fire in the air and lob teargas canisters to disperse rioters in Kondele, Manyatta, Nyaleda, main bus stop, and Kamas area. Riding motorbikes, a group of more than 20 rioters moved along Oginga Odinga Street as they hooted, forcing businessmen to shut down their shops for fear of looting.
Petrol station attendants in Kamas area, fearing rioters might set their premises ablaze, loaded gas cylinders into a truck.
Kisumu DC Willy Cheboi said those rioting were a group of youths out to exploit the situation.
“The security team is taking care of the situation and they have contained most of the areas in town,” he told The Standard on Sunday.
Hurling stones
By 5.30 pm the city centre had become a ghost town, with only police officers patrolling the streets.
In Kondele, police engaged the rioters in running battles for the better part of the evening, paralysing not only businesses but also transport. Most travellers had their journey cut short after roads to major towns from Kisumu were barricaded.
Travellers from Siaya on their way to Nairobi had to stop their journey in Kisumu. They were driven to Central Police Station for safety. Mr Obedi Abala said he was scared something bad might happen to them because of the rioters.
Moi University students returning to Eldoret from an education trip were also stranded outside the police station.
A driver, Luka Ojino, said they had to run to the police station and would resume their journey today. “We were ready to go to Nairobi, but we can’t risk the lives of our passengers,” said Ojino
Areas that experienced demonstrations include those in Kamas. Oile and Kibuye markets were also affected as all the traders closed down their stalls for fear of looting by rioters.
In Homa Bay, protestors barricaded the main road leading to Kendu Bay and Rongo towns before they started hurling stones at buildings and vehicles.
The mob demonstrated in the middle of Homa Bay town as they chanted, “Tunataka haki yetu! Tunataka haki yetu! (We want our rights! We want our rights)”. The scenario culminated into a confrontation between police officers and the mob who hurled stones at the officers. Police officers had to use teargas to disperse them.
The demonstrators kept moving into the main road after being chased by police officers who seemed fewer in number.
Business came to a standstill as the business owners were forced to shut down their premises. Here too, transport was paralysed with some travellers became stranded and joined the locals in scampering for their safety into various estates of the town.
There were no serious injuries reported although some were hurt as they ran for safety.
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