From Mombasa to Kisumu counties bear brunt of Tuesday's protests

Goons attempt to gain access to a phone shop in Kisii town on July 2, 2024. [Sammy Omingo, Standard] Several businessmen outside Nairobi are counting losses after goons infiltrated Tuesday's protests led by Gen-Z. From Mombasa to Kisumu, Tuesday's protest that began peacefully left several innocent people with injuries and their valuables stolen by thieves who were on a looting spree across town as security officers stood and watched. Indiscriminately, the goons descended upon anyone and any business premises they passed and looted valuables, leaving a trail of destruction. In Mombasa County, Quick Matt in Mtwapa, Bata Shop along Digo Road, Qafee Point, a chemist in Kizingo, and several fruit vendors lost all their stock to the goons. A man shot at the crowds as they attacked Qafee Point, where customers were having their lunch. Coast Civil Societies Network on Human Rights Chairman Zedekiah Adika said police were reluctant to stop the goons. Adika, Kituo Cha Sheria Programs Officer, said that despite the court's order barring police from using force and lobbying teargas, they should have stopped the looters as they are respected and feared. He said that some of the looters were arrested by the genuine protestors and handed to police and later presented to court Wednesday. "The Gen-Z, who are genuine protestors, knew where they were headed and even assisted in arresting some of the looters who were handed to police. If the police were active and firm yesterday, the level of destruction witnessed would have been reduced. The court order stopping them from using live bullets and tear gas does not mean they sit back and watch lawlessness unveil. They are respected and can still contain hooligans," said Adika. Adika called upon President Ruto to stop interfering with and weakening public institutions and provide a 90-day plan with clear timelines for addressing these grievances to prevent further decline in our country. "The Multi-Stakeholder Response Team in Mombasa remains committed to supporting the peaceful protestors and working towards a more just and equitable Kenya. We urge the government to listen to the voices of our youth and take immediate action to resolve the issues at hand," said Adika. Adika condemned the man who shot and fatally wounded two protestors who were among the rowdy crowd that turned violent and torched three vehicles and broke into the Qafee Point. Adika said two protestors were released last night around 7:30 PM, while Daniel Ochieng is yet to be released from Central Police Station. He said 23 people suspected to be hooligans masquerading as protestors were arrested, with 20 hailing from the Bombolulu area and three around Mombasa CBD. Businesses around Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital bore the brunt of destruction and looting that lasted deep into the middle of the night. Two Pharmacy stores and a wine and spirits store near the Hospital were brought down during the demonstrations. The youths could ride their motorbikes to Keumbu market on Tuesday evening, where they threatened to bring the Nyaribari Chache Constituency offices. Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda, who spoke to The Standard, said the attacks on his house and the CDF offices had nothing to do with his stand on the Finance Bill 2024. "Some of my opponents still don't believe I defeated them on the ballot. I was in the Constituency meeting with the electorate over the week and even was at the CDF office meeting my people." Jhanda said the faces of the goons who were attacking people in Kisii town were unusual to even town residents. "We must resist politicizing every move we make as a Country. The hiring of goons to attack my home and the office is archaic. Unfortunately, people looted and vandalized businesses in the town in the name of holding peaceful demonstrations." In Migori County, two people were shot dead in Isebania and Rongo towns. A 17-year-old boy was shot dead at Isebania. The parent of the form four boy said he had gone shopping as he was to report to school that evening. Another man was shot in Rongo town, where protestors engaged police in running battles. The man succumbed to the injuries while he was being rushed to Rongo Sub-County hospital. Director in charge of Medical Services in Migori County, Dr Dan Ochiel, who confirmed the man's death, said two other people were referred to Migori County Referral Hospital after they got gunshot wounds in Kehancha demonstrations. "One with a blunt injury on the head was treated in Kehancha and discharged. Isebania had one person with a cut wound and is still admitted at Isebania Hospital," Dr Ochiel said. In Kakamega County, one person was shot dead, five injured, and properties worth millions were destroyed as anti-government protests turned ugly when police officers moved in to quell the protesters during the Tuesday protest. A trader in the town, Mama Mwangi, said he lost goods worth Sh100,000. "When we heard the sound of tear gas canisters and a running battle between the police and demonstrators, I closed my shop and went home, but in the morning, when I reported working at around 7 am, I was shocked to see a vandalized shop, my fridge has been destroyed and set ablaze, and all drinks are stolen," said Mwangi. Mwangi called on the government to ensure it protects the property of the people of Kenya and the lives of the demonstrators. A motorcycle shop also faced the wrath of rowdy youths and criminals who stole 15 motorcycles. Businessman Pravinbhai Prajapati Jivabhai, operating Maishamart supermarket, encountered huge losses when his store was broken, and goods worth millions of shillings were stolen. [Report by Joackim Bwana, Benard Lusigi, Eric Abuga and Anne Atieno]

From Mombasa to Kisumu counties bear brunt of Tuesday's protests

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From Mombasa to Kisumu counties bear brunt of Tuesday's protests

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