Kisumu businesses hardest hit by IEBC protests

Businesses in Kisumu were hardest hit in Monday’s demonstrations by supporters of the Opposition coalition Cord, which is demanding disbandment of the electoral agency IEBC.

Naivas and Tumaini supermarkets in Kisumu were broken into and looted, as one person was reportedly shot dead.

A sizeable number of businesses at the lakeside city remained closed for fear of looting by youth who lit bonfires on several streets and roads, including the Kisumu-Kakamega highway.

Demonstrations in Nairobi were largely non-violent, but businesses were shut for intermittent periods as the protesters made their way through the streets.

“It’s been quite a bad day. The Kisumu store has been closed the whole day while two of our CBD (central business district, Nairobi) stores were affected,” said Tuskys CEO Dan Githua.

“The worst part is we are getting staff transfer requests from places like Kisumu. When we start getting such requests from the people for fear that their lives or property are at risk, that’s very worrying.”

The protesters stoned the Naivas and Tumaini supermarkets shattering the buildings’ glass walls and looting before the police repelled them.

Cord has been holding protests every Monday against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)-- accusing the polls agency of plotting to rig the election in the ruling Jubilee’s favour.

Cord leader Raila Odinga wants the commissioners to leave office. The Opposition on Monday threatened to increase the frequency of the protests, which could see businesses suffer more losses from disruptions.

“If you don’t accept dialogue within two weeks, we will protest every Monday and Thursday, thereafter every day,” Senator Johnstone Muthama said on Monday.

In Migori, shops, offices, banks and the open-air market were closed, with many county and national government workers opting to remain at home.

The High Court earlier Monday morning declined to declare the Cord protests illegal and directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that law and order are maintained during the demonstrations.