Please enable JavaScript to read this content.
Obunga slums, reverberated with heavy gunfire and sirens of ambulances as police led one of the biggest security operations ever seen in Kisumu as death toll of those killed across Nyanza rose to three.
More than twenty people sustained serious gunshot wounds and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital could not cope with casualties as the ambulances made endless trios to the slum where police were breaking into houses and beating helpless residents, including women, children.
One person was shot dead in Kondele, another killed in Obunga and a third one shot dead at Sindo, in Homa bay County.
In Sindo, 14-year-old Titus Ngudi was shot by police at Mukende by anti-riot police.
Reports that a University student had been killed at Seme could not be confirmed by the time of going to press.
Obunga was worst hit, with police mounting door-to-door security operationS, leaving a trail of destruction and injuries in their wake.
At 4.30 pm, there were four ambulances queuing to deliver injured residents to the hospital's casualty department.
Kisumu Governor, Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o expressed shock at the high number of casualties and asked the government to stop what he termed as 'genocide' in Kisumu. He said he will invite the Nasa leadership to Kisumu to witness the police brutality.
Prof Nyong'o who visited the injured in hospital, said he had counted 29 people injured by police out of which 26 had gunshot wounds.
" I have declared one week of mourning in Kisumu because of the massive bloodshed, and during this time, nothing will happen, including the repeat elections on October 28, as ordered by IEBC," said Prof Nyong'o.
He added: "What is happening in Kisumu is similar to what has been going on in Congo. We cannot allow this.
He challenged Acting Interior CS Fred Matiangi to explain why innocent Kisumu residents were being targeted.
It was not immediately clear what provoked the police to raid the slums. When asked what was happening in Obunga, the Nyanza regional Coordinator, Mr Wilson Njenja, only promised to look into it.
Several people suffered life threatening gunshot wounds during the Five hour raid at the slums. A police officer who did not want to be named, said they were pursuing youths who had pelted them with stones.
A local resident, Mr Hesbon Omwayo described the raid on Obunga as unacceptable. "I have been watching it from my balcony. They broke into houses, pulled people out and either shot or clubbed them. I counted up to six people who may not survive their injuries," said Mr Ombwayo, a former military officer.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
Police also conducted door-to door attacks in Nyalenda, Kondele and Manyatta where they lobbed tear gas canisters into houses to flush out screaming residents.
In Nyalenda, a form three student, Christine Achieng' was shot on the thighs and rushed to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
" They were moving from door to door flushing us out and beating us. They shot me as I pleaded for help," said Achieng' as she writhed in pain, her dress soaked in blood.
Kisumu had been largely peaceful as most locals stayed indoors after boycotting the fresh Presidential elections.
At 4.50 pm, six ambulances returned to Obunga to ferry more victims to the hospital.
"Police are shooting all over the place. We have nowhere to hide. We expect the worst at night," said Ezra Ouko, a resident.
The police officers were still in Obunga, Manyatta and Nyalenda slums by 5.30 pm as some residents fled their homes.
Meanwhile, Prof Nyong’o and Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo said there will be no repeat elections in Nyanza on Saturday as announced by IEBC Chairman , Wafula Chebukati.
"There will be no election in Nyanza. This is a ploy to continue killing our people. We will not allow it." said Prof Nyong’o