Kisumu County governor Prof Anyang' Nyong'o, alongside members of the business community, October 17, 2017. [Photo|Governor Nyong'o Communication Unit]
Kisumu County governor Prof Anyang' Nyong'o, convened a meeting with the security teams led by Pauline Ndolo and members of the business community to discuss the brutality being meted out on residents as they conduct the peaceful demonstrations.
Members of the business community in attendance were from The Kenya Association of Manufacturers, the Kisumu Business Community, members of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Kenya Urban Areas Association.
Other stakeholders who deliberated on the security issue include teachers, members of the Christian, Muslim and Hindu faith, the civic society, NGOs and several MCAs.
They conceded that businesses were negatively impacted by the demonstrations.
They also expressed concern that the violence was created by rowdy youth after the demonstrations were over, and further expressed alarm over the security personnel who were actively destroying property and lives indiscriminately.
They also shared their concerns that the police personnel seen conducting the violence were Rastafarians wondering whether they were police officers.
The teachers in the meeting expressed concern over the fact that teachers and children were not able to go to school.
The civic society tabled a report of actual assaults and fatalities and damages to cars and properties that were experienced on October 11th, 13th and 16th.
The deliberations came out with 4 agreed actions which Nyong'o presented after the lengthy discussions. They include;
1. An eight man team would set up as a steering committee.2. Demonstrations would be held between 9 and 1pm.3. MCAs were encouraged to talk to their residents to stop the blocking of roads with stones and impress on the youth the negative impact their actions were having on the image of the county.4. Anybody found blocking roads and destroying property would be arrested and charged.
The governor further discussed investor opportunities that want to come into the region.
They include EABL (Diageo) who will employ up to 115,000 people, and a maritime investor who is keen to access the great lakes region.