One dead and over 20 injured in Kisumu as protesters clash with police

A picture of a bullet soon after removal from four year old Jeremy Otieno writhes in pain at Neema Dispensary after he was shot at the back at their house in Ogango Estate in Kisumu on June 06,2016 during anti IEBC demo that turned violent. The bullet was however removed and referred to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital for further medical attention. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

One person was killed and 22 others – including four schoolchildren– injured when police and Opposition protesters clashed in Kisumu and Homa Bay.

The protests resumed after the closure of a dialogue window declared by CORD leader Raila Odinga two weeks ago. The 10-day window period was marked by hardened positions by the two rival coalitions, dashing any hopes of a political deal. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have maintained their position that any discussion on the electoral agency must be within the law.

Similar protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) took place in Migori, Busia, Kakamega and Siaya counties. But Kisumu bore the brunt of the demonstrations that left the city in total shut-down. Until late in the evening, sporadic shots could still be heard in some parts of the city.

The dead man, identified only as ‘Mwala’, a water vendor at the Kisumu Bus Park, was shot in the chest along Angawa Street as the protesters danced and chanted anti-IEBC slogans. He died on the spot and police later foiled an attempt by other demonstrators to carry his body to the IEBC offices. His body was later taken to the Kisumu County Hospital mortuary.

The Standard confirmed that 10 of the injured, some with bullets still lodged in their bodies, were admitted at the Kisumu County Hospital while 12 others, among them two school boys, were being treated at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. The hospital’s Medical Superintendent Juliana Otieno confirmed having received the injured, eight of whom had been booked for surgeries.

 Ranguma's word

“We are preparing some of those gravely injured to go to the theatre. We are working overtime to save their lives,” said Dr Otieno.
One of the victims, 50-year-old John Odipo, claimed he was shot while in his house in Bandani estate. “I was not in the streets but I could hear gunshots. Suddenly, I realised I had been shot in the leg. The bullet flew through the window,” he said.

Jeremy Otieno, a Class Three pupil at Ogango Primary School, was hit by a stray bullet at his parents’ compound in Carwash area.
“I was inside our compound when I realised I had been hit by something. I saw blood and was rushed to hospital by well-wishers,” he said from his hospital bed.

But Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma condemned destruction of business premises. Ranguma said although the people of Kisumu had the right to picket to demand the disbandment of the electoral commission, it was wrong to destroy and loot property “as this this will scare away investors”.

“We have realised significant economic growth because of the peace and tranquillity we have built in the recent years. We must jealously guard our economy by ensuring that our demonstrations remain peaceful and non-violent,” said Mr Ranguma.

In Homa Bay, where an MCA was arrested, another pupil is nursing bullet wounds after he was shot by police. Clifford Odhiambo, a Standard Seven pupil at Shauri Yako Primary School, was shot as he returned to school from town.

A Form Three student at Highway Secondary School, Joseph Njoroge, was hit on his left leg as he left school for lunch.

Several employees of Tumaini Supermarket in Kondele sustained serious injuries after they were attacked by looters who stormed the shopping mall and made away with goods worth millions of shillings yesterday evening.
Police later dispersed the looters and made several arrests.

Police had earlier on thwarted another looting incident at Naivas Supermarket on Angawa Street.

At Kisumu Girls High School, a Form Two girl was hit and injured by flying shards from a broken glass after a bullet fired by one of the police officers hit one of the classrooms.

Kisumu remained a ghost town the whole day as police, using the newly-acquired water canons, tear gas, batons and bullets, battled the demonstrators, who had blocked all the roads leading to and from the town.

Two private schools failed to open while many of the pupils at public schools stayed at home.
The business community reported massive losses. All banks, supermarkets and hotels were closed. Commuters travelling to and from Kisumu were stranded as the roads remained closed by the protesters.

Chairman of Kisumu People’s Voice of Reason Audi Ogada condemned police brutality.
“Once again, the police have used live bullets on people,” said Ogada.

In Homa Bay, Governor Cyprian Awiti led the demonstrators, who were tear-gassed and stopped from accessing the IEBC offices. Awiti said they would return to the streets again next Monday to press for the dissolution of the IEBC.

In Migori, demonstrators blocked the Migori-Isebania highway and lit bonfires. They were later dispersed by police.

And in Siaya, where two people were killed last month, the demonstrations had not started by 5pm. Alego Usonga MP Omondi Mulwan claimed local criminal investigations officers had threatened him over the planned demonstrations.
This was after Siaya CID boss Simon Mwongela accused the MP of ferrying goons from Nairobi to come and lead demonstrations in the county.

— Reports by Kevin Omolo, Kevin Ogutu, Dalton Nyabundi, Olivia Odhiambo, James Omoro, Scophine Otieno