Governor Nyong'o leads Kisumu protest amid bonfires, closed businesses

The scenes left businesses closed for fear of looters as tensions flared and groups of protestors gathered at various places.

Protestors light bonfires along the Kisumu-Bondo highway during the Azimio la Umoja antigovernment demos. [Isaiah Gwengi, Standard]

By 11 am, it was still unclear whether the protestors would attempt to force their way into the CBD.

A spot check by The Standard across the city established that law enforcement has been deployed in all the major entry points to Kisumu's CBD.

Anti-riot police officers lobbed teargas at a group of protesters, who lit bonfires at the Kisumu Boys Roundabout, chanting anti-government songs.

The protestors claimed that the high cost of living had pushed them to the streets and vowed to continue piling pressure on the government until the problem is resolved.

Some of the youths who participated in the Azimio antigovernment protests in Kisumu. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

He described the developments as unfortunate, adding that learning hours were being lost due to the political environment.

"We are worried as education stakeholders about the impact of the demonstrations. Education stands to lose much if no tangible solution is sought on the impasse," said Awange.

In Migori, protestors blocked the Migori-Isebania highway, a key road linking Kenya to Tanzania as they protested the high cost of living.

The protestors used boulders and stones to barricade the road at Migori bridge as they chanted anti-government slogans. Police stood at a distance and watched without engaging the protestors.

In Bondo and Siaya, business activities remained paralyzed as residents began grouping to start protests against the high cost of living. In Kisii, there was a discomforting calm as heavily armed anti-riot police officers patrolled the streets. By 11.30 am, no protests had been reported in the town.

Reporting by Olivia Odhiambo, Caleb Kingwara and Isaiah Gwengi