A woman who was in the meeting is accosted by the rowdy youth as they eject her out of the hotel premises. [Photo: Roberto Muyela]
Police in Kisumu have launched a manhunt for a Facebook account holder believed to have instigated Wednesday’s violence on women attending an inter-religious meeting at a Kisumu hotel.
Kisumu County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Geoffrey Kathurima said police were reviewing CCTV footage that captured the spectacle to bring the culprits to book.
Three suspects, he said, have already been arrested and shall be arraigned in court to answer to the charges.
“We request the court to let the suspects remain in our custody to enable us conclude investigations and net the other suspects who are still at large,” he said.
In a press briefing his office on Thursday, Kathurima warned area residents against acting on rumors and taking the law in their hands.
In a statement read by Nyanza National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Chairman Bishop Simon Achar, the leaders asked politicians to rein in on their supporters to ensure that peace prevails before and after the fresh presidential elections.
Hotel Manager Emmanuel Waya said property valued at over one million at the hotel patented by NCCK was destroyed.
The goons, he said sabotaged a section of the hotel’s perimeter wall, electric fence and broke several window panes and chairs.
Five vehicles belonging to customers and hotel staff were also destroyed. The conveners of the meeting also lost Sh100, 000 that was transport compensation for participants, mobile phones and laptops.