Anxiety grips Nyanza ahead of demos as clergy call for dialogue

Traders in parts of Nyanza were Tuesday, July 18 putting measures in place to save their businesses from taking a beating ahead of the three-day mass protests planned by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

During the last round of demonstrations last week, traders were hit hardest as vandals masquerading as protesters took advantage of the mayhem to loot.
By Tuesday, July 18, a number of showrooms in Kisumu’s Central Business had towed away their new fleet of cars, while other traders strengthened their doors.

This happened as local clergy appealed for peace and calm. They urged President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga to embrace dialogue and de-escalate political tension.

Tuesday, July 18, traders told The Standard they fear incurring huge losses during the three-day protests.

Moses Ouko, a trader at Jua Kali area in Kisumu claimed he had cartered away motor vehicle spare parts from his shop and taken them home.

“Last week, several shops were destroyed after a teargas canister sparked fire in the stalls and I must take precaution,” he said.

In Migori, traders claimed they will incur losses as a result of the protests but supported the protests. They claimed the ultimate goal of addressing the high cost of living supersedes a day’s loss in lack of sales.

“I sell clothes but I will not during the protests. However, I support the protests because the high cost of living is hurting all of us and has reduced purchasing power,” said Elizabeth Auko.

The clergy in Migori also appealed to both Raila and Ruto to consider dialogue as a tool to resolve matters affecting Kenyans.

The Bishop’s solemn assembly claimed Kenya is not headed in the right direction due to divisions occasioned by political differences between the two political sides, the government and opposition.

Led by the Presiding Bishop for the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship Africa (PEFA) Kenya and Vice Chairman National Council of Churches of Kenya Bishop John Okinda, the clergy said Kenyans are living in fear and uncertainty.

The clergy indicated that political differences should not lead to loss of lives, destruction of property, economic bottlenecks, injury and promotion of other vices amid the mass action.

“We are ready to mediate for realisation of peace on our beloved land as mandated to us by the Holy Scriptures,” Okinda said.

The clergy’s sentiments come at a time when the Azimio leader has maintained they will proceed with the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday protests.

In Migori, Raila’s allies Suna West MP Peter Masara and Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed vowed to lead protests despite the government withdrawing their security.

“The protest is on and we are going to demonstrate on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This demonstration is not about Raila but the people of Kenya,” Mr Masara said.

He asked Kenyans to go for peaceful demonstrations and not provoke police by pelting them with stones.

In Homa Bay, members of the Legio Maria Church have also appealed to the government to listen to Kenyans and addess the high cost of living. However, they advocated for dialogue to reduce political tension. 

The church’s Vicar General and Priest in charge of Pap Ndege Parish in Homa Bay County, Stanley Okumu, said Kenyans are undergoing a lot of difficulties due to the high cost of living.

“We are urging the government to put measures in place to lower the cost of living. Many Kenyans cannot put food on their tables due to the economic crisis,” Okumu said. 

In Nyamira, a section of Azimio MCAs claimed they were being trailed by unknown people.

The MCAs Duke Masira (Township), Nyambega Gisesa(Rigoma), Vincent Benecha(Kiabonyoru) and Majority Leader Elijah Osiemo(Nyamaiya) said they have been confronted by unknown people over the last past week after the anti-government demos in Nyamira town.

They claimed they have made reports to the police. Tuesday, July 18, however, Nyamira South Subcounty Police Commander Moses Kirong, dismissed their claims.