KISUMU, Kenya-In a rare departure from the history of unrest, Kisumu City and its satellite towns gave the nationwide commemoration of the first anniversary of Gen Z’s protests a wide berth.
The lakeside county has been the epicentre of kimbikimbis (demonstrations), in agitating human rights reforms since 1966 when the first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga fell out with the founding father of the nation Jomo Kenyatta.
However, in its wake, it left thousands killed, maimed, untraceable disappearances, jailed or detained without trial, and some forced into exile.
Kudos to residents
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o thanked the residents for upholding peace during the June 25th.
In a press release issued Wednesday, June 25th, Prof Nyong’o reported that there were no incidents of street protests in the city and subcounties.
“The people of Kisumu will always be vigilant to protect and promote human rights in our republic. We will also express constructive dissent to any form of political oppression and abuse of human rights,” Nyong’o emphasised.
A spot check by The Eyes Watch across the Central Business District showed that most shopping outlets and commercial banks were operating cautiously.
“Today, we have experienced low customer turnout because some of them feared that the protests might escalate to acts of violence and destruction of properties,” said Thomas Magaiwa, a phone vendor along the busy Oginga Odinga Street.
Twenty metres away sat Caroline Adhiambo who praised the rare relative calm they enjoyed on that day.
“We have not suffered from the different flavours of teargas canisters, sounds of guns firing ‘stray bullets,’ and no signs of police patrol vehicles zooming past,” said Caroline who sells sunglasses and wrist watches.
Echoing similar sentiments, Onyango Japengo*, a matatu tout at Ahero Mowuok- Kisumu bus terminus remarked that: “We have now passed the batons to ‘other Kenyans’ to pick from where we left (with maandamano).”
Japengo said that they cannot go on the streets advocating for the plight of the common mwananchi without former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s blessings.
The broad-based government under President William Ruto and Raila has brought us peace and tranquillity.
“Wasebedo ekoyo ndalo mang’eny wewa wabende wawinj mit sirkal (We have been in the cold for a long time due to systemic and systematic sabotage. It’s now our turn to benefit from the trappings of power)”
Earlier in the day, a group of Kisumu Human rights activists addressed the media at Uhuru Gardens near the County Assembly.
They called for full compensation and the reparation of victims and survivors of the Gen Z protests in 2024, which rocked the country.
“We say no to police brutality meted out to innocent demonstrators. We need justice for all,” they said before they were dispersed by a group of pro-peace activists in hot pursuit.
An unidentified male Kisumu resident said that they can’t allow hooligans to breach the peace that the residents are currently enjoying.
“We aren’t supporting police brutality, but they should look for a good procedure for seeking justice. They should not use looting or any form of violence to interfere with business and flow of traffic,” he said.
He further warned that: “Raila is the final person whom we receive orders from, no one else. If he is quiet nothing else will take place…Period.”
