Two people confirmed dead following protests in Kisumu

Kisumu

Thursday July 20, 2023

KNA by Chris Mahandara

Two people have been confirmed dead following anti-government protests in Kisumu.

The duo was allegedly shot by police on Wednesday as protestors engaged the law enforcement officers in running battles in different parts of the lakeside city.

According to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr George Rae, one person died on the spot after being shot in Nyamasaria area while the other one succumbed while undergoing surgery at the facility.

Rae said the facility also admitted 35 patients with gunshot wounds. Three of them, he said have been discharged adding the others though stable were still undergoing treatment.

Rae said the facility was doing its best to manage the high number of patients with injuries resulting from the protests.

As the protests entered day two, gum shots rent the air in Kondele and Tom Mboya areas as anti-riot police repulsed protestors who attempted to make their way to the Central Business District (CBD).

The operation which kicked off early morning brought business to a standstill along the Kisumu-Kakamega highway. A spot-check carried out by KNA revealed that all-day schools within the city remained closed despite a call by the ministries of Interior and Education to reopen them today.

Mr. Vincent Olweny, a parent at Kibuye Primary School said the government was not realistic in its decision to reopen the schools. “You can see clearly that we are not safe. How do you expect us to take our children to school with the sound of gunfire all over?" he asked.

Olweny said security officers in the area have failed to contain the protests and were using brutal force putting everybody at risk.

At JOOTRH, Jack Otieno whose brother was shot in the protests accused the police of using excessive force to quell the protests. "You can tell by the huge number of people admitted here with gunshot wounds. As we speak we don't know the figures in other health facilities," he said.

Efforts to get a comment from the County Police Commander Alphonce Kimanthi were futile as his phone went unanswered. Businesses remain closed in the lakeside city as police officers patrol the streets to keep protestors away from the CBD.

Courtesy ; K. N. A