Violence rocks lakeside city for the second day

Youths stage a demonstration at Kondele in Kisumu on Tuesday protesting the killing of three people on Monday. [Photo: Titus Munala/Standard]

By Mangoa Mosota and Maureen Odiwuor

Violence rocked Kisumu for the second day, as hundreds of police officers clashed with mobs.

Hundreds of youths tried to gain entry into the town centre, but were blocked by more than 100 regular and Administration Police officers stationed at Kisumu’s matatu terminus.

Nyanza PPO Joseph ole Tito, however, said they had beefed up security in the lakeside town.

“I want to assure residents of Kisumu that we have reinforced security and they should go on with their daily activities,” said Tito.

The Standard established that more than 200 officers were brought in from different parts of Nyanza Province on Monday night to quell the violence. The chaos broke out after a local businessman and politician, Shem Kwega, was shot by thugs and later died at the Aga Khan Hospital. The gangsters also shot his wife, who is still admitted at the facility.

“There has been reinforcement from places such as Nyando and Siaya,” said an officer.

The PPO, however, declined to reveal the number of officers brought in to contain the chaos.

Interestingly, youths at Kisumu’s matatu terminus joined forces with the police to repulse protestors mostly from Kondele estate.

“We cannot allow some people to mess up businesses through violence,” said a matatu operator.

Caused fire

Trouble started on Monday evening when a teargas canister lobbed at the protesters by police allegedly caused fire in a shop near the Nyanza Provincial Hospital and lead to the death of three people.

Witnesses alleged that police lobbed the canister into the shop and then locked its doors from outside. A fourth person was seriously injured in the incident.

On Tuesday, Tito refuted claims that police locked the door of the shop.

“We are carrying out investigations. It cannot be true that police would do such a thing,” he said.

The PPO said Kwega had Sh1.3 million he was taking to a bank when the thugs attacked him.

He said that the gangsters shot him after he declined to let go of the money. On Tuesday, the business community in the lakeside city urged the Government to ensure that Kwega’s killers are prosecuted.

“We want the two principals to intervene in the worsening security situation in Kisumu,” said Israel Agina, a member of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).

Ben Kitoto, another member of KNCCI, said a number of investors are wary of spiralling insecurity.

“We need an assurance that we are safe because the gangsters are targeting businessmen and professionals,” said Kitoto.

There was calm on Tuesday evening as police in several Land Cruisers patrolled the town. East Africa Law Society Vice-President James Mwamu said criminals in the city were being set free by courts due to shoddy police investigations.

At the weekend, a renowned HIV/Aids researcher was hacked to death in Tom Mboya area. Tito said they have useful leads on the murder of Dr Joseph Odhiambo, who worked with the Centre of Disease Control.

Meanwhile, religious leaders now want President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to restore security in Kisumu. The leaders condemned the rising insecurity in the lakeside town and called for speedy investigations and arrest of perpetrators of the violence.

Bishop Joshua Koyo of Episcopal Church of Africa and the head the Interfaith Peace Initiative in Kisumu expressed concern over the killing of Kwega on Monday.

Kwega was Kisumu Town West constituency ODM chairman.

“Something is amiss in Kisumu. This has been a haven of peace, but things are starting to change. We want to see the President and the Prime Minister taking matters seriously here,” stated Bishop Koyo.

He said security agencies in the town were sleeping on the job, and appealed to the Ministry of Internal Security to address the situation.

Living in fear

Kakamega Jamia Mosque and Islamic Centre Imam Ibrahim Sadala said Kenyans were living in fear in most parts of the country and urged police to do their job.

He, however, cautioned them against using excessive force.

Anglican Church of Kenya Mumias Diocese Bishop Beneah Salala sent his condolences to the bereaved families in the Kisumu and said it was upon the Government to protect lives.

“The constitution is our pillar and it has very well outlined provisions regarding the sanctity of life, we therefore want to see this Government which pledged to protect life doing exactly that” said Bishop Salala.

Head of the Seventh Day Adventist Church pastor Paul Muasya challenged the Government to take security matters seriously as the country heads to the next General Election.

“The electioneering period is a very crucial stage in this country and what we need is peace to prevail,” said Pastor Muasya.

-Additional reporting by Francis Ontomwa