Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has condemned police officers for what he termed as the use of excessive force on peaceful Anti-Finance Bill protesters.
This, as he waived the hospital bill for two men who were allegedly shot during the Anti-Finance Bill protests in Kakamega on Tuesday.
Barasa further condoled with the families of Caroline Ashiramba, (35) from Ikolomani, and Reagan Ouko, (33) from Kisumu who lost their lives during the protests.
“I condemn police officers for using excessive force on peaceful protestors, these young people were simply demonstrating peacefully except for the unruly people who joined the protesters,” Barasa said.
Barasa was speaking when he visited two men, Louis Matekwa- a university student and Joseph Mwanza from Mumias who were victims of brutality during the protests.
The two are recuperating at the County General Hospital.
He also revealed that the county government will foot the funeral cost for the late Ashiramba, as administrative procedures to reach out to Ouko’s family in Kisumu continue.
The county boss further warned goons who he said camouflaged and joined the peaceful protesters, causing damage around the county.
“We lost property, around 18 county vehicles were destroyed and 2 others were torched. Some traders in Kakamega town are counting losses as their businesses were also vandalised. I want to beseech our sons and daughters not to destroy property during the demonstrations because it is your democratic right to picket,” he said.
Hundreds of youth poured into the streets of Kakamega town on Tuesday morning expressing their dissatisfaction with the Finance Bill, 2024 marching through Kakamega streets singing anti-Finance Bill and anti-government chants.
The protests started at 10 am at Kenyatta Avenue, through Canon Awori Street and Kakamega State Lodge as the crowd grew bigger.
From 10 am until noon, there was no heavy police presence nor teargas as police vehicles followed the protesters from a distance.
However, in the afternoon, a section of youths stormed Muliro Gardens and started hurling stones at the Kakamega County Headquarters.
The incident saw office windows and vehicle windows shattered, an act that led to heavy police presence guarding the county premises.
In the evening, another team of protesters allegedly stopped a lorry carrying bread and demanded the driver to let them have the loaves.
President William Ruto wrote an official memorandum to Parliament formally withdrawing the Finance Bill 2024; without this, the bill would have become law in 14 days.
