Youths demanding Miguna's release blocked roads and lit bonfires

Lawyer Miguna Miguna

Anti-Government demonstrations rocked Kisumu yesterday, following the detention of lawyer Miguna Miguna.

Business was disrupted for hours in Kondele as youths demanding Miguna's release blocked roads and lit bonfires.

Chanting anti-Government slogans and carrying placards, the youths asked Opposition chief Raila Odinga to cancel his truce with President Uhuru Kenyatta until Miguna was released unconditionally. 

"No Miguna, No Peace!" they shouted.

In a break from tradition, police stayed away even when the demonstrators accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i of punishing Miguna.

"Hon Raila came here recently and promised good tidings in the handshake deal, including the return of Miguna Miguna. Now they are detaining him in dehumanising conditions," said John Ogutu.

And a number of Nyanza MPs asked Uhuru and Raila to postpone their joint tour of the region planned for next month and aimed at affirming their new-found unity. They said some Jubilee Party leaders could be trying to derail the truce by embarrassing the former premier.

Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch said celebrations of the new pact should come only after the actual terms of the handshake were made public. 

Nyando MP Jared Okello said the Miguna debacle could scuttle the truce.