[PHOTOS] Businesses shut, transport paralysed in Kisumu following Gen Z demos

Most businesses in Kisumu City have been closed following the countrywide protests by youth.

On the busy Oginga Odinga streets, shops remained closed with the owners fearing possible destruction or looting.

Quickmart supermarkets also remained shut.

Shops located in the city's downtown also remained closed.

Major malls such as United Mall that house various businesses including Carrefour supermarket, Java House, KFC, Galitos, City Walk, Bata and several banks remained closed.

On the Kenyatta Highway street, supermarkets such as Quickmart and Khetias were not operating as usual, with clients only using one entrance to quickly pick what they wanted before the protests start.

Naivas Simba next to United Mall has opened but under tight security with plans to close when the protests kick off.

In Kondele, Quickmart supermarket and Apmart mini-supermarket remained closed. All shops, mostly electronics at Tivoli centre have been closed too.

At West End Mall, a few metres from Kisumu’s State Lodge, businesses were going on as usual.

The mall hosts Acacia Premier Hotel, Java House, City Walk and Diamond Trust Bank, Stima Sacco and Aga Khan Hospital.

Police are patrolling the streets of Kisumu as the youth gather to start their protest.

Bodaboda operators said they support peaceful protests but they will not allow a few people out to cause mayhem or loot people’s property.

Joel Aketch said people should peacefully picket instead of engaging in destruction of property.

Transport system has also been affected as the majority of PSV vehicles kept off the roads.

In the busy Kisumu bus park, only a few matatus were available to hurriedly pick clients before the protests started.

At the Guardian booking offices in Simba, most of their vehicles including Nairobi-bound buses and shuttles were parked.