Youths protest in Nyanza over Miguna's detention

Dozens of National Super Alliance (Nasa) supporters in some parts of Nyanza took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the prolonged detention of Miguna Miguna.

Protests erupted in Migori, Homa Bay and Kisumu counties.

In Migori, angry youth blocked the main road linking the town to Tanzania through Isebania as they demanded to know why Mr Miguna, the self-declared National Resistance Movement ‘general’ had not been produced in court as ordered.

PROTESTS

They lit bonfires at the main bridge linking the two East African countries, paralsying movement of goods and services.

The High Court had ordered the Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet and DCI boss George Kinoti to appear in court in person on Tuesday, alongside Mr Miguna after the state had disobeyed previous orders to release the outspoken politician.

The Migori youths said they want to see Mr Miguna "alive and in sound health".

"Since the Government has decided to act outside the law, we will also act better outside the Constitution," said one of the protestors, Mr Peter Oyamo.

Motorists kept off the highway for fear of being stoned.

SHOPS CLOSED

In Homa Bay town business operations were paralysed for the better part of Tuesday morning as some youths demanded the release of NRM general Miguna Miguna.

Several shops were closed for fear of being attacked when the youths took to the streets protesting and demanding to know the whereabouts of Miguna.

The youths also lit bonfires and barricaded the Homa Bay-Rongo road and Homa Bay-Kisumu road.

"No vehicle will be allowed to pass here until Miguna is released," one of the youths shouted.

The youths said they will continue with demonstrations until Mr Muguna is released from police custody.

"We want Jubilee government to release Miguna and charge as ordered by court. We'll not relent until they comply with the court order," said Philip Osinde, one of the protesters.

THREATS

In Kisumu, security chiefs said they were on alert following threats from unknown people to burn police stations if Mr Miguna is not released by noon.

The threats were spread through leaflets believed to have been distributed at night.

"We shall put all Kisumu police stations on fire if Miguna Miguna is not released by 1200 noon today 6th February 2018,” read the leaflets typed in Caps and in black ink.

Kisumu County Commander John Kamau told the Nation his team was aware of the threats and had beefed up security in all police stations.

“The law is very clear about anyone attacking a police station. We received the information today morning and I have given instruction to all officers at the stations to be on high alert," said Mr Kamau.

Reproting by Victor Raballa, Elisha Otieno, Barack Oduor and Victor Otieno