{"id":117688,"date":"2025-07-07T09:08:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T09:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/index.php\/2025\/07\/07\/protest-fears-stir-anxiety-in-nyeri-kisii-as-kisumu-remains-open-for-business\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T09:08:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T09:08:20","slug":"protest-fears-stir-anxiety-in-nyeri-kisii-as-kisumu-remains-open-for-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/protest-fears-stir-anxiety-in-nyeri-kisii-as-kisumu-remains-open-for-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Protest fears stir anxiety in Nyeri, Kisii as Kisumu remains open for business"},"content":{"rendered":"

NYERI, Kenya, Jul 7 \u2013 Tension and disruptions marred Nyeri on Monday as the country braced for the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba Day with businesses shut down and police issued stern warnings in anticipation of unrest. <\/strong><\/p>\n

In stark contrast, Kisumu\u2014a city often associated with political protests\u2014remained largely peaceful, with residents opting for calm over confrontation.<\/p>\n

While businesses remained closed in most of the Nairobi CBD following the closure of major roads by the police, traders in Nyeri and Karatina towns closed their stores for fear possible looting and violence linked to youth-led commemorations. <\/p>\n

\n<\/a><\/div>\n

A survey by Capital News found that many traders stayed away from their premises altogether, while those who had opened quickly shut down as groups of youth gathered around bonfires.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the Naivas supermarket was attacked during the June 25 protests, [we\u2019ve] taken no chances today,\u201d said one trader who reinforced their shop entrance.<\/p>\n

Public transport services scaled down, with matatus operating cautiously across affected routes. <\/p>\n

By press time, police had yet to engage demonstrators, although tensions remained high.<\/p>\n

Looters warned<\/h2>\n

In Kisii town, police deployed heavily around the Capital Roundabout, where small groups of youth\u2014some wearing boda boda reflector jackets\u2014began to assemble.<\/p>\n

Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui warned that police would not allow a repeat of the destruction witnessed during last month\u2019s protests.<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen who came to do business lost their livelihoods. We are not going to stand by and watch you destroy businesses today,\u201d said Kirui, who urged residents to work with security agencies to maintain order.<\/p>\n

The National Police Service (NPS) issued a nationwide advisory ahead of the demonstrations, vowing firm and lawful action against those who violate the law.<\/p>\n

In its statement, the NPS warned against attempting to access or interfere with protected government installations such as Parliament, the Judiciary, and State House\u2014areas governed under the Protected Areas Act.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooting, property destruction, road blockades, and incitement to violence [are] criminal offenses that will [be] dealt with swiftly and lawfully,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n

\u201cConfrontational behavior toward law enforcement will not be tolerated,\u201d the Police Service warned.<\/p>\n

Flowers not stones <\/h2>\n

Despite the alerts and heightened tension in several parts of the country, Kisumu\u2014once seen as the epicenter of political unrest\u2014defied expectations.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Businesses across the lakeside city opened as usual, and transport services ran normally. <\/p>\n

Although public and private schools remained closed as a precaution, the city reported no major incidents.<\/p>\n

Spot checks by Capital News in Kondele, Obunga, the Central Business District, Nyalenda-Kachok, and Nyamasaria revealed a peaceful city, with residents going about their daily activities. <\/p>\n

Outside Kisumu\u2019s Central Police Station, a handful of anti-riot officers sat casually along the fence, chatting quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cKisumu is peaceful today. There were fears that people would pour into the streets, but instead, we\u2019ve seen maturity and restraint,\u201d said local resident Nyaori Nyang. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve learned from the past\u2014demonstrations often end in death and destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Community leaders in Kisumu encouraged residents to commemorate Saba Saba symbolically. <\/p>\n

Some suggested carrying flowers in memory of those killed in past protests rather than taking to the streets.<\/p>\n

Audi Ogada, Chairperson of the Kisumu Residents Association Voice and a veteran of Kenya\u2019s second liberation, urged the public to embrace non-violent forms of protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn mature democracies, people lay wreaths or attend church and mosque services to honor such days,\u201d Ogada said. <\/p>\n

\u201cNot every call for reform must end in running battles. Our people are tired of bloodshed and business losses. It\u2019s time to chart a new path.\u201d<\/p>\n

He warned young people to remain vigilant against political manipulation and criminal infiltration of protest movements. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a new level of responsibility in Kisumu recently. Let\u2019s maintain that tempo,\u201d he added.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NYERI, Kenya, Jul 7 \u2013 Tension and disruptions marred Nyeri on Monday as the country braced for the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba Day with businesses shut down and police issued stern warnings in anticipation of unrest. In stark contrast, Kisumu\u2014a city often associated with political protests\u2014remained largely peaceful, with residents opting for calm over […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-117688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117688\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}