Economy

Two dead as anti-IEBC protests turn violent

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A man is carried into the emergency room at Kisumu County hospital after being shot in the thigh during the anti-IEBC demos on May 23, 2016. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO |

Two people have been confirmed dead, one in Kisumu and another in Siaya, as the weekly protest by Cord against IEBC commissioners turned violent.

The death toll could increase as another motionless body is still lying on an open road in Siaya County while five people are fighting for their lives at Siaya County referral hospital with serious injuries.

Some other five protesters are also being treated of minor injuries sustained from gunshots.

Doctors who attended to the deceased man in Kisumu clarified that he did not die of gunshot wounds.

Tension is high in the Lakeside town as police engage demonstrators in running battles.

Tension is also high in Kakamega town as locals engage police in running battles demanding for the release of their Senator, Dr Boni Khalwale who was arrested in the morning.

Chaos broke out in Kakamega town when two groups — one in support of the demos and the other against

Heavily armed police officers have cordoned off IEBC offices across the country as Cord supporters pour into the streets to push for reforms of the electoral body.

Police officers in Mombasa dispersed Opposition supporters who had converged at Uhuru Gardens waiting for ODM deputy leader Hassan Joho to lead them in storming IEBC offices.

Armed regular, Administration Police and Prison security officers cordoned off the IEBC offices.

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Reported by Benson Amadala, Tonny Omondi, Angira Zadock, David Muchui, Stella Cherono and Njeri Rugene