Governor Anyang Nyong'o Outlaws Riots in Kisumu City

Kisumu Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has outlawed any unauthorized protests in the city, noting that hooligans have taken advantage of the situation to loot and destroy property.

Nyong’o has said that no demonstrations will be allowed in Kisumu without prior authorization from the county government and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leaders from the region. Nyong’o termed as criminal actions youths who block roads, loot from locals and pelted vehicles with stones during opposition protests.

“Who are these people taking decisions without the party - ODM - directing them yet we have party leadership led by myself in this county?” he asked.

The Governor said that demonstrations must conform to legal guidelines and called on police to deal with those out to take advantage of such events to loot and vandalize property.

“We’ve told the police to deal with anybody putting stones on the road. Anybody molesting a dweller residing in Kisumu will be treated as a criminal,” Nyong’o warned.

Nyong'os action comes after investors in Kisumu expressed concerns over the increasingly hostile business environment occasioned by chaotic demonstrations.

Kisumu has been one of the violence hotspots in recent months as a result of heightened political activities during the electioneering period.