Kisumu police mounted a roadblock on the driveway to State Lodge from Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, in what has been seen as readiness to suppress any possible mass action in Kisumu city.
A lorry and two Land Cruisers load of police officers both in anti-riot gear and in plain clothes stood strategically at the junction to Kisumu county offices and the State Lodge and diverted traffic to use an alternative route as they kept vigil on the road.
This follows a threat by the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leadership led by leader Raila Odinga for mass action over the high cost of living, in which he issued a 14-day ultimatum to President William over high cost of living.
Nyanza Regional Police Boss, Karanja Muiruri yesterday said they were not taking any chances.
“Yes, it’s true we have mounted the roadblock. We are not taking any chances,’’ Muiruri said.
Police patrols in and around Kisumu were beefed up for any eventuality, with Karanja saying many were deployed on the beat patrols.
However, he claimed that so far there was no cause for alarm. Businesses and daily errands in the city were on as usual, with no reported single incident of interruptions.
With Raila’s ultimatum lapsing on Wednesday at midnight, anxiety continues to mount over Kenyans on the opposition’s next cause of action as police says they will remain vigilant for twenty-four hours.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi had earlier this week hinted that mass action will proceed alongside the people’s barazas across the country claiming that they will demonstrate to the government that Azimio has the people’s support.
Also, Roads leading to the State House have reportedly been blocked over tension amid Azimio’s Expected Mass action.
