Uneasy calm returned to Kisumu yesterday as the city grappled with the aftermath of Monday's violent protest.
One person was killed, 22 injured and property destroyed during the anti-Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) demonstration. The owners of the two supermarkets that were looted said they lost property worth millions of shillings.
And yesterday, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) officials said their supporters who took part in the demonstration were not involved in any criminal activity.
Kisumu ODM Chairman Ayiecho Olweny and the party's Kisumu Central ward official Richard Ogendo said those who destroyed and looted shops were criminals who took advantage of what they described as peaceful demonstrations.
They accused the police of using excessive force to disperse protesters. "We have told our people that each time the demos are held they must guard against destruction of property in town. It is unfortunate that some business premises were looted," said Prof Olweny.
Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch said police must respect the constitutional rights of citizens to demonstrate.
"If there is a genuine concern on the control of the demonstrations then the police must not use force or live ammunition. Kisumu police have become notorious for use of excessive force and live ammunition right from the 2007-08 post election violence," said Mr Olago.
Nyanza Regional Police Co-ordinator Willy Lugusa said they arrested five people in connection with the looting. He told the Opposition to restrain their supporters during demonstrations.
Defend Ourselves
"I am appealing to our Opposition leaders to advise their people to stop stoning the police because we will definitely defend ourselves," he said.
The Standard learnt that nine out of the 12 people admitted at the Jaramogi Teaching and Referral Hospital were still undergoing treatment. The rest had been discharged.
In Kondele, which was a hotspot in the 2007-08 post-election skirmishes, Tumaini supermarket was stoned, broken into and assorted goods stolen during Monday's protest.
Although the retail store had not established the exact loss, the Stocks Manager Jared Migwa said it would amount to a lot of money. He said pricey electronic goods were targeted as tens of looters stormed in.
"From the look of things and going by the CCTV footages of the crowd that got in, we have lost a lot," he said.
At Naivas supermarket, the youths tried to gain entry into the building but police intervened.
Over 80 gas cylinders kept in steel cages outside the supermarket were stolen. The branch manager, Philemon Oyugi, said they suffered over Sh2 million in losses as shoppers stayed away during the protests. He said no looting was recorded.
Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company's metallic manhole lids across town were vandalised. Kenya National Chamber of Commerce Kisumu Chapter Chairman Israel Agina said it was unfortunate Tumaini and Naivas supermarkets were broken into.
Lake Victoria South Water Services Board Director George Ayugi said leaders who called for demonstrations should be held accountable for destruction of property that took place in Kisumu since they could not control their supporters. Small-scale traders like Caroline Achieng, who ran an MPesa shop were not spared either. Ms Achieng's shop was torched.
Report by Dalton Nyabundi, Christine Ogutu, Mourine Odiwuor, Harold Odhiambo and Kepher Otieno.
