Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o has issued a statement condemning hooliganism witnessed during the Azimio la protests in the county on Monday, March 20, 2023.
In a press release sent to newsrooms, the county head asserted that the demonstrations were peaceful until hooligans infiltrated the crowd and began destroying property.
Nyong'o says the alleged hooligans stoned and damaged property within the Central Business District. He strongly dismissed their actions stating that the hooligans whose mission is yet to be established, were out to taint Azimio's name.
The county boss called on police officers to probe and identify the culprits, arrest them and bring them to book.
"The demonstrations were largely peaceful until a few hooligans whose mission is yet to be established infiltrated the crowd and started destroying property. These criminals posing as opposition supporters stoned and damaged part of a hotel, a bank, a supermarket and a shopping mall within the Central Business District," he said.
"To this end, I wish to appeal to the police to urgently open investigations to not only identify 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," he added.
The governor further appealed to the city residents to assist in protecting the image and investments n the city and its environs.
While reiterating that the county stands for peaceful and orderly picketing, the county boss called on residents to help arrest individuals caught destroying property in future demonstrations. He also implored officers to help protect lives and property during public demonstrations.
"I wish to appeal to the people of Kisumu to help protect the image and investments in the city and its environs. In future demonstrations, our people should apprehend and hand over to police anyone damaging property," the statement added.
