Deserted streets, closed businesses in Kisumu ahead of Azimio protests

They claimed that they are participating in the protests to pile pressure on the government to reduce the high cost of living.

In Kisumu, pockets of protestors have lit bonfires along the Kisumu-Kakamega highway and blocked traffic with another group converging at converge at Kondele.

Some of the deserted roads in Kisumu CBD. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Public service vehicles have also kept out of the roads with the main bus park deserted.

On Wednesday, Governor Anyang Nyong'o had said his administration had indefinitely suspended the holding of anti-President William Ruto demos in Kisumu.

Nyong'o said he would join other protesters in Nairobi during the weekly demos scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays.

The governor's pronouncement came two days after he convinced demonstrators in Kisumu not to destroy property.

Taking part in the peaceful protests on Monday, March 27, the county chief led the protesters away from the central business district.

Interviews with a number of traders established that the protests were hurting their businesses with some claiming they are facing a hard time to finance their loans.

Some of the closed business premises in Kisumu CBD. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

In the Monday protests, 12 people were injured, according to records at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu.

Two people died during the chaos. One was shot dead, while the other was lynched while attempting to steal a mobile phone.

Imperial Sarova, a mall and a bar in Kisumu are some of the commercial facilities that have borne the brunt of the demos, with property worth millions of shillings destroyed.