Normalcy slowly returns in Kisumu City.

NORMALCY: Boda Boda operators have been spotted along Oginga Odinga Streets waiting for their customers today as normalcy slowly returns in Kisumu-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo.

By DICKSON ODHIAMBO.

August 14, 2017.

Normalcy slowly returns in Kisumu City.

KISUMU City and its environs is slowly coming back to normal after two days of post election Violence witnessed in various parts of Kisumu County especially in the sprawling slums.

 A spot check by this writer shows that businesses within the Central Business District were slowly returning to normal as some traders were seen displaying their wares.

A number of supermarkets outlets also have their doors opened for their customers to shop various goods.

A spot check shows that Tumaini and Naivas Supermarkets along Jomo Kenyatta Highway as well as Chicken Palace among various shops are fully opened and a number of customers streaming in to buy goods and foods.

Along Oginga Odinga Street, Choppies Supermarkets as well as the shops next to it are also operational today and people are visiting the shops.

The infamous Jubilee Market next to the Kisumu main Bus Terminus is also fully open and a number of people are purchasing food stuffs more so groceries.

At the Kisumu Main Bus Terminus, various Passengers Service Vehicles have been spotted while waiting for customers to various destinations.

However, a number of Customers whom this writer has spoken to claimed that the bus fare is still hiked and they have to part with huge bus fares because the vehicles are still few.

“The vehicles are charging double the bus fares because somebody like me who is travelling from Kisumu to Korowe market where we used to pay shs 50, we are now paying shs 100,” she says.

At Kibuye Market which is one of the largest open Air Market in East and Central Africa goods are still not yet much as customers who need groceries say most of the commodities are not available at the open air market.

However, the traders are very optimistic that when normalcy returns fully, good will be available.

Various boda boda operators have also been spotted along various streets while waiting for their passengers to carry to various destinations.

They say normalcy should return fully within the Central Business District so as to be able to operate smoothly without interference witnessed in the last two days when police engaged protestors in a running battles which have so far unconfirmed reports indicate that it has claimed a number of lives after anti-riot police have been accused of using live bullets to shoot protestors.

Police have maintained that only those who have engaged themselves in acts of lawlessness have been dispersed.

Kisumu County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed has confirmed that normalcy is returning within Kisumu County including Kisumu Central Business District.

He adds that most of the Government offices are opened so as to serve the public.

Maalim adds that they had a very fruitful meeting with Kisumu County Governor-Elect Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong'o and other stakeholders which has greatly helped in bringing the County back to normalcy.

The situation in Kisumu today comes barely a day after Nasa Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga urged his supporters not to resume work today, adding that he will give a way forward on Tuesday this week.

ENDS: