Kisumu residents welcome Nasa move to seek court redress
A section of Kisumu residents follow Raila Odinga's media briefing on August 16, 2017. The residents have welcomed Mr Odinga's decision to seek legal redress over Presidential election declaration. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Nasa presidential contender Raila Odinga on August 16, declared that they were moving to court to challenge the re-election of President Kenyatta
Kisumu was affected by violent protests soon after IEBC declared Mr Kenyatta had won.
The residents also hoped the Supreme Court would deliver justice so as not to affect schools, which are soon opening.
Tension in Kisumu is finally receding following the decision by the National Supper Alliance (Nasa) to challenge the presidential election results in the Supreme Court.
Although people have resumed their activities, leaders and the business community say the general mood in the town was still not normal as residents await the Supreme Court verdict.
Nasa presidential contender Raila Odinga on August 16, declared that they were moving to court to challenge the re-election of President Kenyatta.
Kisumu was affected by violent protests that erupted soon after IEBC declared Mr Kenyatta had won, and the decision by Nasa served to restore the much needed stability.
Israel Agina, Chairman of the Kisumu Business Owners Association Chairman and an executive member of the Chamber of Commerce, said they welcomed the move by Nasa to move to court.
“Business normalcy will resume as the court process moves on. We believe justice is a pre-requisite for peace,” he said.
JUSTICE
On August 16, Kisumu Deputy Governor-elect Mathews Owili lauded the move saying they hoped the people of Kisumu and other Kenyans will get justice.
“We believe the courts will uphold the truth and serve justice,” he said.
Kisumu woman representative Rozah Buyu said even though the town had come back to life after the Nasa pronouncement, anger among the people was still evident albeit controlled.
“People have not yet come to terms with the fact that their kin were brutalised by police,” she said. “There is still a feeling of helplessness and fear on whether the Judiciary will live to its expectation and ensure justice for Kenyans.”
DELICATE
Audi Ogada, chairman of Kisumu City Residents Voice, said even though the move was welcome, the problem still lurks "should the Supreme Court fail to deliver justice“
Nasa, he said, had carried forward the anxiety and expectations of the people.
Mr Ogada described the situation in Kisumu as delicate saying: “It is not over until it is over", adding that justice should not only be pursued with regards to the presidential election but also for the victims of police brutality, including the late baby Pendo.
He also said: “Our prayer is that the Supreme Court will do what is right because schools are soon opening and we would not wish to see a repeat of what happened here in the past week.”
