Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o is on the spot over chaos witnessed in the city centre on Monday afternoon that has seen his rivals accuse him of muzzling critics of his administration.
Chaos erupted in Kisumu after anti-riot police fired tear gas canisters at Ex-county Boss Jack Ranguma and his supporters within the city centre, a move that reportedly injured a child.
The anti-riot police officers lobbed teargas at the team at Jubilee Market and the Main Bus Park causing stampede at the busy market.
While traders choked in fumes, women who usually sell their wares at the market had to choose between shielding themselves from the teargas or allowing some street children who took advantage of the situation to loot in the nearby shops.
Inside the fresh fruits and vegetable market, fruits were strewn all over and on Tuesday morning, the traders could be seen trying to pick up their losses.
The officers had been deployed at Patel Flats Round About to block Mr Ranguma’s convoy from entering the CBD.
“Why can’t the governor just allow fair competition. Why does he want to muzzle his rivals who are carrying out a peaceful engagement with the people? He should focus on telling the people what he has done and not barring us from talking to the people,” said Mr Ranguma.
In a notice dated May 27, 2022, acting City Manager Abala Wanga banned political rallies within town, saying the move was aimed at protecting public property, local infrastructure and newly added urban aesthetics in the CBD.
He indicated that the city management shall designate areas for political gatherings outside the City centre.
The ex-Kisumu Governor had just been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at the Tom Mboya Labour College in his bid to recapture a seat he lost in 2017, but now on a Movement for Democracy and Growth Party ticket.
After that he made a tour of Kisumu Town accompanied by Senator Fred Outa, former Speaker Onyango Oloo, former CEC Mr Richard Ogendo and Ms Valentine Otieno who is contesting for the Kisumu Woman Rep position.
But after leaving Kondele, on their way to the town center, their convoy was stopped at Patel Flats Roundabout by police officers who had come in five land cruisers and a lorry.
The leaders however left their vehicles choosing to march on foot towards the Kisumu Bus Park.
Mr Outa pleaded with the police in charge to let them have their way promising that they will hold peaceful campaigns, but all this fell on deaf ears. The senator accused the police of being used by Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o to frustrate his main competitor Jack Ranguma.
“Everyone has a right to access the CBD, Prof Nyong’o cannot deny the people of Kisumu a right to access town. It is your duty as the police to protect the people not oppressing them,” said Outa.
After a long stand-off by the police, a visibly angry Outa led the charge crowd to Jubilee market to address the people of Kisumu.
Mr Outa was about to invite Mr Ranguma when the police lobbed teargas canisters at them forcing their private detail to whisk them away.
The team had to cancel their planned rallies in other parts of the town.
The chaotic scenes are becoming a common site as the campaigns kicked off in the lakeside city.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s re-election campaign launch on Saturday turned chaotic after Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda was ejected from the function.
The legislator, who decamped from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to defend his seat on an independent ticket after failing to secure the party’s ticket, met the wrath of the party supporters when he tried to gain access to the venue.
Mr Ouda and his entourage were attacked and forced to flee from goons who tore his shirt before police officers intervened and lobbed teargas to disperse the crowd and whisked him in a police vehicle. BY DAILY NATION