Two dead, 20 injured in Kisumu as police clash with protesters

Two people have been confirmed dead and five others are nursing gunshot wounds in Kisumu after they were shot during protests against the disputed presidential election.

Twenty people were injured, seven of them with gunshot wounds, and were taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. One protester died while undergoing treatment.

According to the hospital’s administration, some of the injured are in critical condition.

Reports indicate that the protesters were hurling stones at the security officers sparking a fierce clash.

The security situation remains tense with major roads leading into and out of Kisumu being barricaded by demonstrators who have vowed that today’s election will not take place.

Lorry-loads of security agents were deployed in the region with business operations in the Kisumu city centre remaining grounded.

Voting kicked off in most parts of the country apart from Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay and other opposition strongholds.

In some of the regions, officials could not distribute voting material as youth barricaded roads with voters keeping off polling centres in other areas.

Following the two fatal incidents, Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o has declared seven days of mourning beginning today (Thursday).

In a media briefing, Prof. Nyong’o termed as a mockery the move to reschedule the repeat election in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori.