Police Move in to Suppress Anti-Osoro Protests in Kisii

The protests against South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro came to a head with shots fired and tear gas canisters lobbed by the police.

The situation in Nyamache worsened unexpectedly on Monday when residents set a coffin on fire. Soon after, law enforcement detained a group of young people and escorted them away at the junction that leads to Nyamache. The protesters created obstacles on the Ogembo-Nyangusu road, causing hours of traffic congestion until the authorities intervened. Furthermore, students on their way to school unintentionally got caught up in the chaos. In addition, impromptu protests erupted in the towns of Itumbe, Bobasi, and Bomachoge Chache.

In Ogembo, the flow of traffic was completely halted as protesters set tires ablaze. Meanwhile, in Nyamache, an elderly woman found herself caught in the middle of the chaos as the demonstrators fought back against the police with stones. Joining the diverse crowd were numerous angry bodaboda operators from Bobasi. MCA Jacob Bagaka and Masige East MCA Michael Motume accused the police of using live ammunition against unarmed protesters. Bagaka presented a shell that was believed to have been fired during the demonstrations, emphasizing the fact that the protests had been peaceful until the police intervened and started shooting.

Nyacheki MCA Naftal Onkoba strongly criticized Osoro and demanded his immediate arrest. Onkoba stated that the protests will continue every Monday until Osoro is apprehended and brought to court. The Monday protests were organized by the residents of Bobasi in response to the recent attack on Governor Simba Arati's rally in the Nyakembene area of South Mugirango. Osoro, however, dismissed the Monday protests as a failure. According to him, the protests would have made more sense if they had taken place in Nyakembene, the actual location of the controversial incident.

He further claimed that the burning of a coffin with his name on it symbolized the "ineffective services provided by the County." Osoro argued that he should not be the one facing arrest and prosecution, but rather the individuals who engaged in the illegal ritual of sacrificing a dog. He believed that the protests were a reflection of the disappointment felt by the people towards their county leader. In Nyamache, the MCAs addressed the media and accused MP Osoro of orchestrating the attack on Arati's rally. They warned Osoro that he was not welcome in Bobasi until he apologized to the Governor.