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Governor Nyongo urges Kisumu residents to desist from street protests

Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 10:55 | By
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o. PHOTO/Viola Kosome
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o. PHOTO/Viola Kosome

Kisumu governor-elect Anyang Nyong'o has called for peace and asked residents to desist from street demonstrations over the disputed presidential poll.

In a statement to newsrooms, Nyongo urged the residents to maintain peace as the leadership of the Azimio One Kenya coalition works on a way forward.

The statement comes in the wake of the spontaneous riots witnessed after the electoral body chairman Wafula Chebukati declared Kenya Kwanza Alliance flag bearer William Ruto as the president-elect on Monday, August 15.

Nyong'o cautioned against protests in Kisumu, urging residents to be calm as they explore the legal routes to redress the matter devoid of chaos.

"Following the announcement of the results of the Presidential election, 2022 majority of Kenyans have expressed anger and shock at the results," the statement read in part.

He appealed to the people of Kisumu to restrain from wanton destruction of property, and acts of hooliganism that may destroy the gains in the city and scare investors.

He drew their attention to four commissioners who had also distanced themselves from the presidential results as one of the grounds for Azimio leadership to explore other constitutional means to address the problem in an amicable way.

" I wish to assure our people that Azimio leadership is acting with speed to ensure that justice is done to its Presidential candidate Raila Odinga," Nyong'o said.

Protests erupt in Kisumu's Kondele area

Riots were witnessed in Kondele trading centre in Kisumu city moments after Wafula Chebukati, the Chairperson of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), announced the results.

Aggrieved residents lit bonfires all over the streets, and barricade roads with boulders to block traffic movements.

They hurled stones at the police on sight. This sparked a furore among the security chiefs led by Nyanza Regional Commissioner Màgu Mutindika who urged the Azimio leadership to contain their supporters.

Yesterday, evening traders hurriedly closed their business as word went round that IEBC was set to declare Ruto as the President.

More security personnel have been deployed to the Lake-side region to contain the situation.

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