Governor Anyangโ Nyongโo on Monday, March 20, called for the immediate arrest of protesters who were causing mayhem in Kisumu.
The governor asked for help from the police afterย demonstrations in his county got out of hand.
Addressing the press, Nyongโo lamented that what started as a peaceful protest took a turn to the worst as protesters started destroying property.
โThis morning, Kisumu residents joined the rest of Kenyans in participating in peaceful demonstrations against the Kenya Kwanza Government.
โThe demonstrations were largely peaceful until a few hooligans whose mission is yet to be established, infiltrated the crowd and started destroying property,โ Nyongโo lamented.
On the extent of the destruction, Nyongโo stated that a hotel, a bank, Supermarket and a shopping mall within the Central Business District had been destroyed during the protests.
โWe appeal to the police to help protect lives and property during public demonstrations,โ the governor pleaded with the police.
He further urged Kisumu residents to hand over to the police anyone seen or caught damaging property.
The governor who was elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket distanced himself from the ugly protests.
โI wish, on behalf of the people of Kisumu, to strongly condemn this cowardly and criminal act.
โAs the Governor of this county, I wish to reiterate that we stand for peaceful and orderly picketing with zero attacks on individual or public property and investments,โ he stated.
Prof Nyongโo further revealed that there was a possibility that the protesters did not belong to Azimio.
โI appeal to the police to and arrest the culprits but to establish if it could be true that they had been sponsored by some groups or individuals to tarnish the name of Kisumu residents and Azimio La Umoja supporters as violent,โ he remarked.
Nyong’oโs statement came at a time when police officers were engaged in running battles with Azimio protesters.
The police arrested a group of protesters and Azimio leaders including National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo.
Source-https://www.kenyans.co.ke/
Anyang’ Nyong’o Asks for Arrest of Protesters who Caused Mayhem in Kisumu