Developing story: NASA strongholds react to IEBC announcement

KTN senior reporter Duncan Khaemba in Kibera, Nairobi

NAIROBI, KENYA: Hours after the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta as winner of the 2017 election, incidents of riots, destruction of property and death have been reported across Nyanza and parts of Nairobi.

Police have been battling protestors in Kisumu, Mathare and Kibera. It is feared that six people may have died from gunshots wounds on Friday night.

Police in Kisumu, Siaya, Bondo, Homa Bay and Migori are engaging crowds in running battles. Roads have been blocked and businesses burnt down. KTN News reporters on Saturday morning went to Kibera and the reporter could hear gunshots in the air.

All major roads in most parts of Nyanza remained impassable with people remaining indoors.

Police confirm one person has died

In Kisumu, a doctor said he had seen four bodies with bullet wounds at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital but the County Police Commandant, Titus Yoma denied the report, saying he could only confirm one death- which occurred at Dago, in Maseno.

"We only know of one death," Mr Yoma told the Standard on Saturday morning.

Another death was reported by the Kisumu West Member of the County Assembly, Mr Paul Okiri.

Vincent Ochieng' was shot dead as police tried to contain rowdy youth at Dago market in Kisumu. Family members however said that the 19-year old was returning to their Ulalo home after watching an English Premier League football match when he was shot.

Okiri said there were protests following the presidential declaration and youths had engaged police in running battles throughout the night.

In Siaya, a body of a boda boda rider was discovered this morning near the offices of the Siaya County Women representative, Dr Christine Ombaka and residents say he may have been a victim of battles between the police and the local residents.

The Standard visited the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital where five people have been admitted, three of them with gunshot wounds.

Human Rights Watch witness

According to Otsieno Namwaya from Human Rights Watch, tension began building in Kisumu on Wednesday but escalated on Friday when the IEBC declared President Uhuru winner in the 2017 election.

The chaos was more in Nyamasaria, Kondele and Obunga Estates.

“Immediately President Uhuru was announced winner, youth started shouting in protest banging objects. This attracted attention of security on patrol who moved in the estate,” he said.

“Police got provoked when the youth started throwing stones, they broke into people’s houses and fired shots in the air to contain the situation,” he added.

Police also moved into Estates such as Nyamasaria and Kondele to deal with protestors.

Reports of unrest was also reported in Kenya’s capital Nairobi with Kibera and Mathare slums affected.