Kisumu county governor Anyang' Nyong'o has emphasized that residents of Kisumu will remain peaceful no matter the outcome of the presidential election petition ruling by the Supreme Court on Monday, September 5.
In a statement issued by spokesperson John Oywa, Nyong'o urged Kisumu residents to remain calm and continue with their daily activities.
“We do not expect any change in this state of affairs whatever the outcome of the Supreme Court petition,” he said.
The governor was irked by the advisory that he claimed highlighted Kisumu County as a hotspot for violence.
“We reject the tone of the memo, which singles out Kisumu and suggests that the city could witness violence after the September 5 Supreme Court ruling on the presidential election petition,” he explained.
Other leaders in the region were appalled by the directive that painted Kisumu in a bad light.
County Commissioner Josephine Ouko insisted that Kisumu did not witness violence after William Ruto was declared President-elect even though the US embassy had issued a similar advisory.
Furthermore, she noted that the region was tired of violence and was ready to move on from the election activities.
"It is in bad faith that the statement from the US government is coming out while the same has not been shared with relevant authorities," she said.
Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi announced that the advisory highlighted bad faith on the part of the US government.
“As leaders from the Luo community, we take great exception to such a reckless move by the US government," he lamented.
In addition, he said that profiling the region undermines the progress Kenya has made as a democratic nation. Notably, the leaders argued the advisory will deter businesses in Kisumu and the Western region.
The travel advisory came a few days after the US ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, toured the area. Prior to her visit, the US cautioned its residents against travelling to Kisumu.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on U.S. government personnel in Kisumu. The State Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance," the advisory stated.
