By Christopher Omondi
The County Government of Kisumu has unequivocally condemned a violent attack that disrupted a court-annexed mediation meeting at Kisumu Social Hall, as residents and civil society groups demand immediate action to safeguard public participation forums.
According to a press release from the Directorate of Communications and Corporate Affairs, the meeting was convened by the City Department to operationalize the Nyamasaria-Mowlem Satellite Bus Park.
Stakeholders in attendance included the County Government, County Security Team, Kisumu Bus Park Transport Company, Kisumu Tuk Tuk Association, kiosk owners, hawkers, and residents from Mowlem and Nyamasaria.
“The discussions were highly constructive and culminated in an agreement to establish a Joint Committee to guide the operationalization of the satellite bus park,” the Directorate stated, underscoring the meeting’s importance.
The session was violently interrupted when a group of individuals armed with pangas, rungus, and other crude weapons stormed into the hall. The attackers vandalized property and robbed participants, including students, of mobile phones, laptops, and other valuables.
The County Government praised its Inspectorate Officers and the National Police Service for their swift intervention. It demands that security agencies investigate and prosecute all perpetrators, “including those who planned, financed, or incited the violence.”
“The City of Kisumu remains firmly committed to the mediation process and to engaging all stakeholders peacefully in pursuit of lasting, lawful solutions for the benefit of our residents,” the statement concluded assertively.
Community members who attended the forum expressed shock and fear.
“This was supposed to be about solving our transport problems, not fighting,” declared Amina Ochieng, a hawker from Nyamasaria. “Now we are afraid to come to meetings. If goons can walk in with pangas, who is safe?”
Other residents accused unnamed business interests of sponsoring violence to maintain control of matatu and boda stages. “We know who benefits when the bus park is not organized,” said James Otieno, a boda rider. “The county must protect us, or these talks will never succeed.”
Kisumu Peace and Justice Network, a community-based organization, stated that the attack reflects a disturbing trend in goon culture.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this assault on democracy,” asserted the Network’s Coordinator. “Public participation is guaranteed in the Constitution. When meetings are attacked, it is not just leaders being targeted; it is the voice of wananchi. We demand that police investigate not only the foot soldiers but also those who funded and planned this.”
The organization calls for CCTV in public halls, vetting of attendees at high-risk meetings, and witness protection for those who speak out.
