Monday, June 06, 2016
Transport along the Kisumu-Kakamega highway was Monday morning paralysed after youths who are protesting against the electoral commission, blocked the road at Kibuye.
Similar incidents were witnessed in Migori County where youths blocked all major roads in Migori Town and lit bonfires in protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In Kisumu, huge bonfires in Kondele and Kibuye estates, in an attempt to keep of anti-riot police.
And unlike previous protests, the youths yesterday concentrated their activities in Manyatta, Obunga and Nyalenda estates.
Supermarkets and schools remained closed ahead of the protests.
The protesting youths were defying an order by the police declaring the demos illegal.
MIGORI PROTESTS
In the Migori protests, roads were blocked with boulders and burning tyres in effect interruption traffic.
Matatus and private cars were kept of the roads as their owners feared they could be torched by the demonstrators who poured into the streets from as early as 6am.
Shops, offices and banks were closed as security officers watched the protests from a distance.
All pedestrians using the affected roads were forced to carry green twigs in order to be allowed to pass the roadblocks mounted by the protestors.
The Migori open air market, just like the main streets, remained deserted.
Roads leading to the county government headquarters were blocked with many county and national government workers opting to remain at home.
BRIDGE TO TANZANIA BLOCKED
The main bridge linking Kenya and Tanzania was also blocked by burning makeshift kiosks, a move that paralysed transportation of goods between the two East African nations.
Curiously, there was no confrontation from the police during the early morning protests.
Migori County Police Commander David Kirui was still holed up in meeting with top security chiefs as they planned how to contain the situation.
Similar protests were also reported in Rongo and Awendo towns.
PUPILS KEEP OFF SCHOOLS
At the same time, a number of school heads in Kisumu County sent messages to parents and guardians advising them not to send their children to school.
Businesses along Oginga Odinga Street were closed due to fear of looting by the demonstrators.
Traders said they opted to stay at home as a security measure.
“Last time the police raided shops and started beating people. They also destroyed our goods,” said Ms Getrude Atieno, who runs a business on the street.