Fracas in Homa Bay as rival youths fight during Azimio protest

Fracas ensued in Homa Bay town between two groups of youths during mass action that was called by Azimio-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga.

One faction was supporting the demonstration while another one was against it.

The confrontation started when some youths who were supporting the demos met with their opponents near the Green Mall building along the post road.

They fought one another using stones and wooden rods. Each of the youths showed their energy on who would outweigh the other.

They were dispersed after teargas canisters were lobbed in their midst as others started to scamper for safety.

About 30 minutes later, another group reconvened, mobilized more people and joined the group that was supporting the mass protest.

They resorted to demonstrating peacefully around Homa Bay town through different streets chanting songs in praise of Raila as the rescuer of the country.

“You can’t restrain us from exercising our rights. Peaceful demonstration is allowed,” one of the youths shouted.

During the violence, a saloon car was damaged with its windscreens broken.

Police later came out to patrol in town and quelled the tension.

Businesses remained closed for the better part of the morning as supporters of Raila were demonstrated.

Later, some Homa Bay MCAs led by Speaker Julius Gaya, Erick Omollo and Florence Ouma joined the youths to participate in the demonstrations.

Gaya said they had to protest as a way of pushing the Kenya Kwanza government to lower the cost of living.

He said they will continue with demonstrations in Homa Bay until the government lowers the cost of living.

“Many Kenyans cannot bear the current high cost of living. The demos are to send a message to the Kenya Kwanza government that Kenyans want it to lower the cost of living,” Gaya said.

Ouma argued that many Kenyans are starving due to the high cost of living.

“We’re protesting to show our dissatisfaction with the current economic situation. This government should understand the plight of its people,” she said.