Kisumu: Raila Odinga’s Supporters Defy Orders, Continue Protests

Supporters of Azimio leader Raila Odinga in Kisumu have defied his orders to concentrate demonstrations in the capital city of Nairobi.

The supporters blocked the road as early as 7 a.m. in the lakeside city. Rawlings Okoth, a tout, said they withdrew matatu services to show solidarity with Raila.

“We have to demonstrate here, this is solidarity. In Nairobi and Kisumu, there is no way that the demonstration won’t happen,” Okoth said.

Kevin Ngala, a local, said they want to push for lower cost of living.

“We respect Raila’s call that we only have demos in Nairobi, but the head of state dared us the other day, we are not happy,” he said.

Ngala noted that demonstrations are enshrined in the supreme law of the land, and no one can take it away from them.

The police in anti-riot gear were seen in the central business district, but in Kondele, the epicenter of the demonstrations, a group of youth were seen pelting stones at the Kondele police station to engage the officers.

“They must come out and face us, they cannot intimidate us,” one demonstrator said.

Businesses such as supermarkets, banks, and other mini shopping centers remain closed.

The local leaders have kept the demonstrators at bay, whose numbers continue to swell. MP Joshua Oron of Kisumu Central called for calm, noting that demonstrations are ongoing in Nairobi.