Business at standstill in Kisumu

Kenya: Business in Kisumu has remained at a standstill as most business premises in the Central Business District remained closed.

A spot check by The Standard revealed that only banks and supermarkets were open but the number of customers was very low.

Several police land rovers have been patrolling the town with police officers stationed at perceived violence hotspot areas like Kondele, Car Wash and main bus stop.

People remain in groups along the roads and at various market centres chatting in low tones over the next move ahead of major Saba Saba rally in Nairobi.

Most of the residents who spoke to The Standard expressed fears saying tension is growing as police continue patrolling.

“We are very scared as nothing seems to be going on. Everybody is wondering when calm will return so that we can go on with our normal lives,” said a resident.

The residents said they were waiting for the communication from the Uhuru Park rally before making the next move.

“We cannot say Kisumu is calm. Let us wait for the outcome of the Uhuru Park rally before we can say the day is calm,” said another resident.

There were however no crowds at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu where a a rally similar to that at Uhuru Park was to be held.

Most schools in town have also recorded low pupils’ turn out with some school heads sending the learners back home for fear of any violence which may erupt.

A teacher at Shaurimoyo Primary school said only 200 pupils out of the total 1, 026 reported for school forcing them to close the school.

The teacher said they received threats from unknown people who warned them against going to work even after Cord made it clear that today would be a public holiday.

County Director of Education Sylvestre Mulambe who has been in Nairobi said he was putting up measures to ensure learners and teachers are safe.

“We are trying to get to relevant officials to check which areas have been affected so as to have the schools safe,” he said.

County Police Commandant David Ng’etich said more officers will be deployed in learning institutions to protect learners and teachers.

He said all areas within the county have been mapped and police are ready to combart any form of lawlessness.

“Currently things seem to be calm and we have heard of few incidences where schools have sent pupils back for fear of being attacked but want to assure everybody that we are very vigilant and deploying officers to areas where issues are reported,” said Ng’etich.