Protests disrupt business in Homa Bay, clerics urge talks

Business premises remained closed in Homa Bay town yesterday following calls by Azimio for a three-day anti-government protest.

Business activities, such as matatu transport and financial trade, were disrupted from morning.

Anti-riot police remained on standby to prevent Azimio supporters from accessing the town centre.

Youths allied to Azimio peeped from a distance after they barricaded roads such as Homa Bay-Rongo, Homa Bay-Kendu Bay and Homa Bay-Mbita.

Anti-riot police contingents, who were operating in groups, were alert to prevent them from getting into the town centre.

Police fired teargas at one point to disperse the youths, who had the intention of converging.

At one point, some two youths were arrested for allegedly inciting colleagues to start demonstrations.

As the supporters mark day one of a three-day protest, religious leaders from Nyanza have intensified calls for President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to engage in dialogue to end the stalemate.

Raila and his supporters are protesting the high cost of living in the country.

They also want the Finance Act 2023, which had already been assented to by President William Ruto, scrapped.

Religious leaders John Okinda from Pefa, Stanley Okumu (Legio Maria Church) and Omollo Massud (Homa Bay Supkem secretary) asked the two leaders to engage in talks to end the protests.

Okinda said such demos have led to the loss of lives, destruction of properties, economic bottlenecks, injury and promotion of other vices.

“We implore the leaders to embrace statesmanship by putting the nation first ahead of theirs. Let there be dialogue to get solutions to matters that affect Kenyans,” Okinda said.

Speaking to journalists at Pefa church in Homa Bay town, Okinda, who is also the vice chairman of the NCCK, said they are ready to mediate for the realisation of peace.

He wants protagonists from both camps to desist from hard stances.

“Our prayer is that both sides listen to the voice of God, which instructs us to seek peace with all people at all times,” Okinda said.

Okumu said many Kenyans are undergoing a lot of difficulties, which should be addressed through dialogue.

The Legio Maria cleric urged the government and the opposition to put measures in place to ensure Kenyans put food on the table.

“Kenyans should embrace peace at all times. We don’t want to witness violence in the country,” Okumu said.

Massud said there should be a conversation between the opposition leaders and the government to enhance peaceful co-existence.

The cleric argued that a good country is where people discuss issues with the aim of finding a solution to problems affecting citizens.

He urged religious leaders in the country to pray for Kenya for peace to prevail.

They said the country is in a bad situation, where people are complaining about the high cost of living.

“I appeal to my fellow religious leaders to pray for the political leaders of our country so they can lead us with decorum,” Massud said.