One person dies on Busia Wednesday protests

Busia Friday July 14, 2023

KNA by Salome Alwanda

At least one person has died while undergoing treatment at a Busia hospital for injuries sustained during the Azimio la Umoja demonstrations on Wednesday. Five police officers were also injured.

Speaking to the press in his office on Thursday, Busia Acting County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto said that 10 other Azimio supporters were arrested for participating in unlawful assembly and malicious damage of property.

“Of course the stadium was destroyed, some participated in looting and stoning of vehicles,” he said adding that investigations were ongoing.

Ruto warned that as investigations continue, any person who will be found to have participated in the illegal demonstrations will be arrested.

“Some also threatened others through text messages which police officers are going to investigate and take appropriate action,’ he said adding that the security team will dismantle criminal gangs within Busia.

He appealed to the local residents to remain calm as police officers protect them and their property.

The administrator defended the police actions during the demonstrations arguing that they were provoked by the protestors but they were able to exercise restraint. They are waiting for postmortem report to ascertain the cause of death of the victim who died while undergoing treatment at Burumba Dispensary, which is a private health facility.

However, Burumba ward MCA Tony Onyango condemned the Wednesday incident stating that some goons were hired to destroy property.

Onyango who addressed the press at Burumba Dispensary said that the goons were hired from Angorom (Teso South Sub County) and the neighboring country of Uganda.

“I want to urge the government to do its work,” he said adding that leaders who transported the goons should be arrested.

He accused a section of leaders in the County Government of Busia for planning that mayhem adding that several demonstrations have taken place in Busia but such extent of damage have never occurred.

Two of the victims who are undergoing treatment at Burumba dispensary claimed that they were shot by police officers yet they were not among the demonstrators.

Courtesy ; K. N. A