Police Officer Ben Oduor Dies from Injuries Sustained During Kisumu Azimio Protests

A police officer who was injured during the Azimio weekly mass demonstrations in Kisumu on Thursday has sadly passed away.

The officer, identified as Ben Oduor from Keroka Police Station in Nyamira, was on duty during the protests and sustained injuries while stationed at Jamia Supermarket area.

According to police reports, he and other officers were overwhelmed by charging rioters and were unable to protect themselves, leading to Oduor’s injuries.

Following the incident, Oduor was immediately taken to Aga Khan Hospital for treatment and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday night, and his body is currently lying at the hospital morgue awaiting a post-mortem examination.

During the protests, a group of youth broke into the Jamia Supermarket, vandalized the premises, and stole goods. The incident has resulted in the proprietor, Hussein Hassan, suffering a significant loss, with his goods being worth millions of shillings.

Hassan condemned the actions of the protesters and questioned why they targeted his business. He expressed his frustration, saying, “What have I done to warrant such destruction? What problem do the people have with me? I have a family and people taking care of, and I don’t know where to start.”

The Azimio mass protests, led by opposition leader Raila Odinga, have been ongoing, with protesters demanding the reduction of the cost of living and transparency in the electoral process. The protests have often turned violent, with destruction of property and injury to both civilians and law enforcement officers.

The government has been criticized for its handling of the protests, with calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the issues raised by the protesters. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the latest incident and the ongoing protests.

The incident has once again highlighted the need for peaceful protests and respect for the rule of law. The loss of life is a tragedy that should never happen, and it is essential to find ways to address grievances and grievances without resorting to violence.

The government, opposition, and civil society groups need to work together to find solutions to the problems facing the country and promote peaceful coexistence among all citizens.