Traders report looting as protests continue in Kisii

Anti-government demos in Kisii turned chaotic Tuesday afternoon with protesters lighting up tyres across the town streets paralysing traffic.

Most traders, for fear of looting, closed their shops in haste.

Supermarkets also closed their doors as protests snowballed pulling hundreds in the streets.

Some shops were reported looted of computers.

The Star was, however, trying to locate the shops by press time

There were sporadic clashes between the police and the protesters around the Kisii Hospital roundabout as the demos spilt over from street to street.

There was looting at Daraja Mbili market where some traders lost their wares to goons masquerading as protesters.

At the Mashauri area, the junctions between Kisii-Keroka and Kisii-Kilgoris highways, some female traders had their ware looted.

One trader had her bread and drinks looted by protesting goons.

Downtown, bonfires were lit up on the Kisii-Kisumu highway outside Aghakan Hospital and others at the main Capital Roundabout.

Traffic in and out of the town was also halted for hours as protesters faced off with the police from street to street.

Students returning to school were also caught up in the melee.

Others said they had successfully entered Kisii town from other points, but getting out to their schools was challenging due to lack of vehicles.

"I left Masimba, in Masaba South at 11 am and arrived here a few minutes ago but I have been told the way out had been barricaded," a student said.

Mary Moraa, a parent, said she may be forced to return home with her child, a Form 2 student heading out to school if the situation won't change by evening hours.

"I am weighing the situation and if it persists we shall get back home and wait for another day," she told the Star.

It was not all gloom though all through as some protesters leisurely played football while ladies jumped the rope on the clear streets.

It was also song and dance.

For others, amid the confusion of the protests, a business opportunity arose for whistle and mini flag sellers.

Some sold them by force.

At the Capital Roundabout, there were erected roadblocks where they forced clients to buy.