Joseph Murimi, Brian Adero, Peter Atsiaya, Ngumbao Kithi and Vitalis Kimutai
20 January 2008
Nairobi — Most parts of the country experienced calm after ODM called off its countrywide demonstrations. Shop owners opened their businesses as traffic jams returned to haunt residents.
In Nairobi, the city centre was abuzz with activity as traders did brisk business, in sharp contrast to the previous three days when police engaged protesters in battles.
Residents who could not access the city after ODM called three days of mass action jammed the streets to attend to their matters.
Kibera, the city's battle hotspot between police and demonstrators, was also slowly picking up from the ruins.
Roads leading to the slum that had been blocked with tanks and burnt vehicles had been cleared by Saturday.
Public transport returned to normal although most drivers kept off the area, fearing fresh violence.
And the slum residents took stock of the happenings since the disputed presidential elections were announced on December 30.
Standing in groups and conversing in low tones, the residents flashed back to what befell them, with most saying they had never seen such experiences in their lives.
At the home of Beatrice Michael, a primary school pupil killed by police, burial arrangements were going on.
"I don't understand why the police killed my daughter. How can a 13-year-old girl threaten the police?" posed her agonised mother.
And in Kisumu town, police removed barricades from the roads to facilitate movement.
Many shops opened as traders counted their losses.
Residents of the National Cereals and Produce Board staff quarters in the town demanded an explanation from the Government after police fired tear gas canisters into a house occupied by a pregnant woman and her three young children.
The canisters exploded, burning the house to ashes but residents saved the occupants.
A local ODM activist, Mr Gerry Owiti, said businesses would not have been disrupted if police had allowed demonstrators to march peacefully through the town.
Residents flocked to the previous ghost town for various services.
"Unless justice is done, things will never be the same again," said businessman Mr Aden Ogo.
The traders said a solution should be found to the current political impasse.
Matatu operators resumed services but commuters paid dearly as fares were hiked by more than 100 per cent.
Passengers travelling to Nairobi jammed Akamba, Crown and Easy Coach bus offices.
"I came here at 5am with my children. I want to take them to Nairobi so they can go back to school," said Ms Jennifer Odongo.
Commuters travelling from Kisumu to Kakamega paid Sh200, up from the normal Sh100.
Long queues were witnessed at the banks, which opened for the first time since the violence rocked the town.
Mombasa, too, witnessed calm as leaders pursued other courses of action against the Government.
The Officer Commanding Police Division, Mr Wilfred Mbithi, assured residents of their security.
Most shops and restaurants were open.
Several businessmen, however, praised the demonstrators for not targeting their shops for looting unlike other towns.
In Nandi, residents held peaceful demonstrations on Friday despite heavy police presence.
No looting or injuries were reported as leaders mounted speakers on vehicles, with which they guided the demonstrators on the processions.
But even as calm returned, not all places were peaceful.
Seven people were killed and several houses torched as fresh violence erupted in Kipkelion District.
The fighting between two communities at Kashin village was sparked off by the arrest of six youths on Friday.
Police arrested the youths for alleged looting.
Villagers said more than 10 houses had been torched by yesterday afternoon.
"The victims have fled the area," said Mr Anthony Kirui.
Police in the neighbouring Bureti District also shot dead a demonstrator.
Bernard Langat, 23, was shot at close range at Roret trading centre on Friday evening.
The police later removed the body to Kapkatet District Hospital mortuary.
In a related development, six houses were torched at Nyagacho estate in Kericho town.
Police later restored order in the tension-hit area.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The East African Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
