Police ready for demos as water cannons land in Kisumu

One of the two anti-riot water cannons sent to Kisumu seen on the Kisumu-Dunga road after being filled with water.

The government has beefed up security across Nyanza, with two giant anti-riot water cannons on standby as police prepare for street demonstrators after a push for dialogue on electoral reforms collapsed.

The water cannons, driven to Kisumu under the cover of darkness last week, are likely to be used in the lakeside town for the first time tomorrow to block protesters from accessing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and other government offices.

Kisumu residents had a rare glimpse of the scary behemoths when they were driven along Dunga Road to be filled with water.

Sources told The Standard that the government had bought 10 such machines from China to help it fight rioters. It is said Nairobi has six while Mombasa and Kisumu have two each.

Two weeks ago, three people were killed and more than 30 others injured during street protests in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori.

Nyanza Regional Police Coordinator Willy Lugusa said officers have been put on a full alert to deal with demonstrations.

"We will not give room to actions which are inconsistent with the rule of law. Our goal is to safeguard against loss of property and life. Demonstrations seeking to disturb the peace will not be tolerated. We say no to civil disobedience," said Lugusa.

But Kisumu County Governor Jack Ranguma said they will hold peaceful demonstrations.

Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga said intimidation will not keep them off the streets tomorrow.

Church leaders in Kisumu said that they will push for the dialogue through inter denominational crusades.