Anti-IEBC protests leave one dead in Siaya
Protesters in Migori Country light bonfires on the road blocking transport during the anti-IEBC demonstrations on October 2, 2017. One person died in Siaya County during the demonstrations called by Nasa. PHOTO | ELISHA OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Officials from the Red Cross who attended to the deceased at the scene confirmed his death.
A witness says the man was running to avoid a group of protestors before he dropped and died after the police lobed teargas.
Anti-IEBC protests turned tragic in Siaya after a 41-year-old man died.
The man was caught up in the melee and is said to have died of shock after police fired teargas to disperse protesting youths.
An eye witness, Celestine Achieng’, said they were passing along the county commissioner's compound moments before the youths stormed the compound that is also housing IEBC offices.
Ms Achieng' added that the deceased dropped and died as he was running after police lobed teargas on the protestors.
Officials from the Red Cross Society who attended to the deceased at the scene confirmed the man dead.
Other witnesses said the the man was coming from Siaya County Referral Hospital where he collected some medication.
The residents led by Governor Cornell Rasanga, MPs Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga), Christine Ombaka (Woman rep), Speaker George Okode and a host of Siaya MCAs linked the police to the tragedy.
Mr Rasanga accused the police for failing to comply with the constitution to protect the lives of innocent Kenyans.
Police officers look on during anti-IEBC protests in Homa Bay on October 2, 2017. PHOTO | BARRACK ODUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP
He threatened to take legal action if the government fails to take responsibility and compensate the family of the deceased.
"It's high time the police adhered to the constitution. We will not sit and watch the police receive orders that are against the constitution leading to the killing of unarmed citizens," the governor said.
Anti-IEBC protests in Homa Bay Town. PHOTO | BARRACK ODUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP
"The demos today were peaceful as compared to other days where youths threw stones at the police. This time the residents never provoked the police," said Mr Atandi.
Similar sentiments were shared by Dr Ombaka and Mr Okode who called for the resignation of IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba and other IEBC officials indicted by Nasa..
