On Sunday, March 19, chaotic scenes were witnessed in Kisumu’s Central Business District (CBD) as two factions clashed on the streets.
One faction, led by Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, took to the streets to protest the planned anti-government protests.
The protest was building up at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in the mid-morning hours, where participants were seen carrying placards and banners written ‘I say No to violence’ and ‘Lovers of dialogue’.
Another group of protesters marching in support of the much-hyped March 20 mass action accused Ojienda’s group of sabotaging the plans of Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
The youths who emerged from Kisumu bus station were outraged by what they saw as an attempt to defy Raila’s orders in Kisumu.
As a result, both sides hurled stones at each other in an attempt to settle their differences.
Senator Ojienda’s faction was quickly driven to the side of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where they regrouped to plan their next move.
The pro-Azimio protesters gained momentum and quickly pursued the Ojienda-leaning group who were all out for peace.
However, the protesters found an escape route when police officers moved to quell the violence that was clearly getting more vicious.
Anti-riot police officers have been deployed at the Kisumu bus park, as businesses close in response to the rising tension.
