Death, celebration and protests in mixed reaction to Uhuru court victory
From left: Supreme Court judges Njoki Ndung’u, Smokin Wanjala, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Chief Justice David Maraga, Jackton Ojwang and Isaac Lenaola when they delivered their ruling on the presidential poll petitions on November 20, 2017. photo | jeff angote
A man was shot dead in Migori town, a Safaricom booster vandalised and two vehicles set ablaze in Kisumu as residents protested the Supreme Court ruling.
Jubilee supporters took to the streets to celebrate the judgement.
Life went on as usual in some areas, with no protests or celebrations being witnessed.
There were mixed reactions in various parts of the country Monday after the Supreme Court upheld the declaration of President Uhuru Kenyatta as the winner of the October 26 repeat election.
A man was shot dead in Migori town, a Safaricom #ticker:SCOM booster vandalised and two vehicles set ablaze in Kisumu as residents protested the Supreme Court ruling.
Jubilee supporters took to the streets to celebrate the judgement.
Life went on as usual in some areas, with no protests or celebrations being witnessed.
In many towns of Kiambu County, where Mr Kenyatta hails from, residents took to the streets to celebrate the apex court’s decision. They praised the judges, saying they had saved the country from sliding into anarchy.
It was song, dance and ululations along the busy Thika highway as Mr Kenyatta’s supporters came out to celebrate as soon as the court delivered its decision.The celebrations started from Githurai with Jubilee supporters dancing their way to the city centre.
In Kericho, Governor Paul Chepkwony applauded the Supreme Court ruling and congratulated the Jubilee administration following their “much-deserved” victory. Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot said that Mr Kenyatta’s humility in respecting the courts had paid off.
In Nairobi’s Kawangware 56, youths engaged anti-riot police in a hide-and-seek game as they barricaded roads and then rushed to hide in their houses.
Kawangware experienced violence following the declaration of the August 8 presidential election results.
In Kisumu, the demonstrators also burned parts of Kondele Police Station and engaged police in running battles for the better part of the day as they vented out their anger.
Other counties including Homa Bay, Vihiga, Busia, Kakamega and Kisii remained calm even as residents vowed not to recognise Mr Kenyatta as Head of State.
The shooting happened near a hotel in Migori town as the victim, identified only as Mandela, crossed the Migori/Tanzania road that had been blocked by protesters.
He was said not to be part of the demonstrators and was going about his personal errands.
“A policeman known to us shot him on the lower abdomen even as he raised both his hands in submission,” said Peter Onyango, a witness. The victim was rushed to Oruba Nursing Home where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
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