Two killed in riots after poll judgment

Monday, April 01, 2013

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Two people were killed and 24 others injured during riots that hit parts of Kisumu after the Supreme Court judgment on the presidential election petition.

At the same time, 72 people fled their homes on Saturday due to the violence.

Red Cross Western region manager Emmanuel Owako said the injured were admitted to Jaramogi Oginga Memorial and Referral Hospital.

“Among them was a child who sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to the Kisumu Hospital,” he added.

“A large number of rowdy youths were shot by police during riots in Homa Bay, Siaya and Kisumu counties,” said Mr Owako. He said of those shot in Kisumu, two were confirmed dead.

Calm has since been restored in the town, especially Kondele, where demonstrations had erupted. Business is picking up at the usually busy Kibuye market.
Nyanza police boss Joseph ole Tito assured residents of their security. “The situation is generally calm after police contained the mayhem that erupted the other evening,” said Mr Tito.

He urged Nyanza residents to be calm after Prime Minister Raila Odinga accepted the judgment by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, 15 children and 57 adults spent Saturday night at Kondele Police Station following the riots.

Security boosted

The residents fled as they feared for their lives after rowdy youths looted and destroyed their houses.

One of the victims, Mr Michael Mwangi, 34, said he was also displaced in 2007 following the post-election violence that rocked the country, claiming thousands of lives.

“On Saturday, my storeroom was broken into and everything stolen by rogue youths who were rioting in Kondele”, said Mr Mwangi.

Kondele officer in charge of security, Mr Johnstone Wanyama, urged those who had fled their homes not to be worried any more as security had been boosted. “Security is tight in the entire region and we want to restore investor confidence in the county,” he said.

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