Business paralysed as demos fever spreads in counties, Kisumu calm

West End Supermarket in Free Area vandalized and looted by suspected criminals hiding among protestors during the Saba Saba unrest in Nakuru City. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] At least one person was shot dead and scores of others were injured as businesses in towns across the country came to a standstill during Monday`s Saba Saba demonstrations. Suspected hired goons reportedly unleashed terror on demonstrators, with six individuals shot with arrows in Kisii. Other groups targeted businesses while posing as peaceful protesters. Learning activities were paralysed in Nairobi, the Mt Kenya region, parts of the Rift Valley, Western and sections of Nyanza, as traders were left counting heavy losses in a day marked by tension and a heavy police presence. In Tumaini Town, Ol Kalou, a man was fatally shot by police during a protest along the Ol Kalou-Nakuru Road. According to witnesses, police confronted the protestors, fired several rounds into the air and lobbed teargas canisters to disperse them. "The youths responded by hurling stones at the officers, and in the ensuing chaos, one person was shot dead," said James Karani, a resident. Another individual sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to JM Kariuki Hospital. In Nakuru, police also fired in the air to disperse youths who had lit bonfires and blocked the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway at Free Area. Most businesses in Nakuru's central business district remained closed, with police patrolling key areas including the main and wholesale markets, as well as bus and matatu terminals. In several public schools along Kanu Street-such as Langa Langa, Pangani and Racetrack-students were turned away in the morning. "Everyone is wondering when normalcy will return so that we can resume our daily lives," said Daniel Macharia, a trader at the Nakuru wholesale market. In Naivasha, the police ordered the closure of all government offices, including law courts, due to fears of attacks by protestors. The decision followed chaos on Sunday night on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, where motorists were robbed. Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo said the move was necessary given intelligence reports of possible attacks. "We decided to close all government offices, including the law courts, due to planned attacks targeting these facilities," he said. In Eldoret, several businesses remained closed as traders feared looting. Similar scenes were witnessed in Kitale Town, Trans Nzoia County. In Kericho, youths assembled at Moi Gardens with elders, clergy and county leaders to engage in dialogue. "We are choosing peace today and seeking engagement," said youth president Elkana Mutai. In the Mt Kenya region, most traders opted to keep their businesses shut, fearing a repeat of the 25 June demonstrations during which several businesses, including supermarkets, were looted. Running battles between protestors and police were reported in several towns. In Nyeri, three journalists sustained injuries after they were attacked by a mob. "Only a foolish person would put their vehicle on the road knowing the high risk of it being stoned, or worse, torched," said David Muthomi, a driver operating on the Meru-Nairobi route. In Meru, police dispersed small groups of youths at Makutano and Gitimbine. County Commissioner Jacob Ouma urged residents to maintain peace. "Youths must not allow themselves to be misused to cause chaos and loot," Ouma said. In Murang'a, a supermarket was looted at Kabatoi Market as protestors lit bonfires on major roads. At the Coast, most schools remained closed. However, at Kongowea-the country's largest open-air market-business continued as usual, even as most shops in Mombasa's city centre remained shut. Human rights defenders condemned the government's decision to block public transport, terming it a blatant violation of freedoms. Speaking to The Standard ahead of a planned protest march, veteran human rights activist and Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) board member, Khelef Khalifa, said the cancellation of transport services was unjustified. "Police swarmed the Mombasa-Lunga Lunga Highway at the Check Point area, causing serious inconvenience to both locals and international tourists returning from the South Coast," he said. In Nyanza, chaos erupted in Kisii, where six people were shot with arrows, while the rest of the region-including Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori-remained largely calm with businesses operating normally.

Business paralysed as demos fever spreads in counties, Kisumu calm

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