The Kisumu County government on Wednesday, July 26, waived all hospital and mortuary bills for everyone injured or killed during the anti-government protests staged by the Azimio coalition.
In a statement read by Kisumu County Speaker, Elisha Oraro, Governor Anyang' Nyong'o revealed that over 100 Kisumu residents suffered injuries during the charged demonstrations.
Governor Nyong'o regretted that over 90 Kisumu residents were brutalised by the police and had to be admitted for prolonged periods.
Speaker Oraro read his statement outside the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital where Kisumu residents held a vigil in honour of Kenyans who lost their lives during the protests.
The Governor's statement also pointed out that an investigation into the level of brutality meted on Kisumu residents was ongoing and all those found culpable would be brought to book.
Kisumu residents welcomed the governor's waiver and continued lighting candles and praying for the departed souls.
Governor Nyongo's announcement came even as the opposition held vigils across the country in honour of Kenyans who lost their lives during the protests.
The opposition has been staging demonstrations across the country to protest against various issues.
These included; the rising cost of living, alleged government interference in political parties and the criteria used to constitute the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel.
Before waving the hospital bills, Governor Nyong'o had criticised the National Police Service (NPS) for brutalising Kisumu residents. The county chief also claimed that security officers had invaded homes and assaulted non-protestors in their houses.
"Even after stopping members of the public from exercising their democratic rights to picket over the high cost of living imposed by the Kenya Kwanza government, the police armed with all manner of weapons are pursuing innocent residents deep into the residential areas and brutalising them," the governor said at the time.
He further requested the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.
Several international bodies including the Internal Justice Mission have since backed governor Nyong'o's position and called for rogue police officers to be restrained.
For instance, the International Justice Mission (IJM) expressed concerns over the return of clandestine state-sanctioned squads targeting opposition politicians and protestors.
