• There has been additional security deployment around the State Lodge following threats from restive pockets of Raila Odinga supporters who had been vowing to ' storm and eat in there'.
• Traders, especially shopkeepers, have delayed opening their premises owing to fear of violence.
Image: MAGATI OBEBO
Security surveillance and patrols by police, many of them in full riot gear, were scaled up in Kisii town Monday ahead of Azimio's planned mass action.
There were three blockades manned by an outlier team from regular police several meters from the Kisii State Lodge.
The additional deployment around the State Lodge follows threats from restive pockets of Azimio boss Raila Odinga's supporters who had been vowing to ' storm and eat in there'.
Being a security installation,the State Lodge is under 24 hour surveillance from the presidential regiment deployed there.
Outside in the streets, more lorry loads of officers drove about for any eventuality.
The patrols began as early as Thursday last week after boda boda riders engaged in skirmishes.
There was a larger build-up of security presence in the streets by Monday morning.
"We don't anticipate any ugly incident but if it occurs the boys are out there to contain it.,"Kisii Central Police Sub-County Police boss Amos Ambasa said..
He did not disclose the number of officers deployed to secure the town.
Image: MAGATI OBEBO
A spot check by the Star found most people going about their businesses.
Other traders, especially shopkeepers, had delayed to open theirs owing to fear of violence.
By 9am in the morning, only a one vuvuzela hooting Azmio enthusiast went round on a bike calling for the demonstrations.
At the capital roundabout, traders went about their businesses as usual.
At the bus park, matatu operators went about their trade with little signs of Azimio supporters turning up for the anti government demos.
Ichuni Ward Rep, Siocha (ODM), told the Star there were no plans for the protest
"This does not mean people are not hurting, we are hurting, there is no money in people's pockets, life has become harder," he spoke on phone.
At the pavements display of merchandise was relatively small.
A few other gingerly traders kept off fearing a backlash from Raila's supporters who would heed to his drums for mass action.
Others, like the shoe shiners near the capital roundabout, a restive political district, said they came to try their luck nonetheless.
"Being a rainy season I came to attend to some of my faithful clients who report to offices around here ,once done I will go back to the house to watch as the demos unfold elsewhere," said Mbaka Kerandi.
Kerandi said he was not enthusiastic with political activities that he said curtail other Kenyans' opportunities to rake in some money.
" This includes agitating for something from the country's leadership. Today two of my children are returning to their respective high schools after the short term holidays. They are not walking back, they need fare and pocket money to replenish their personal items, I cannot get this money by sitting at home ," he lamented.
Josephine Kwamboka, a cloth seller nearby said she was still cautious if she was to display her wares in the face of the looming street protests.
She told the Star that she had had suffered in the hands of violent Azimio mobs in the recent past and would not want a repeat.
She said she lost clothes worth thousands of shillings to the protesting goons. .
"I wish I know where Raila leaves, I will go with my family and live there to feed us. I wonder if he I ever bothered by the pain we go through here during such strikes," she said
At Daraja Mbili open air market, there was a low turn out.
Mary Moraa, a tomato seller, however said rain was the factor as it begun on Monday dawn.
"The drizzle has been intense since 4 in the morning. It may kept some of my friends off, others by choice however to wait and see," she told the Star.
On Sunday a section of UDA party Ward Reps spoke of a plot by some Azimio supporters to be ferried to Kisii to disrupt businesses in the name of anti-government demonstrations.
A group leader and Masimba MCA Bouse Mairura claimed the plot was being hatched at Oyugis, in Homabay.
The same group, he further disclosed would be funded to heckle the president during a visit to Kisii on Friday and Saturday.
"We speak this to alert security agencies so that they act decisively and stem any possible ugly scenario," stated Bouse.
They spoke in downtown Kisii during a late-night function.
In a tweet, Mairura urged the residents off the streets.
He cited tragic deaths of babies Pendo and Stephane Moraa in Nairobi during a similar agitation.
" It was baby Pendo then today it can be any of us, let's avoid protests at all costs, Ruto is legally elected president," he said.