Property worth millions of Shillings was destroyed in Koyonzo Market following the death of two watchmen manning retail and wholesale shops in the area.
Word has it that a shop belonging to a renowned businessman in the market centre was broken into and the thugs who stole goods worth millions of shillings killed two guards.
Irate residents stormed Koyonzo Police Station over what they termed as laxity from the security agencies.
It is claimed that the police officers took long in responding to the alarm that was raised.
Several police officers were affected as the irate residents stormed their houses in the market and torched anything that they could lay their hand on including police uniforms, documents, mattresses, seats among so many more.
Speaking to the press, Kakamega County Police Commandant Mr Joseph Kigen condemned the act and warned the residents from taking the law into their hands.
Mr Kigen assured that investigations over the mysterious murder of the two night guards have been launched and the truth will be out soon.
I want to warm the members of the public against staging protest with the police officers to avert more pronounced damages.
Local leaders among them Wakili Robert Ojou have condemned the police over use of excessive force when dealing with the protesters.
“The distance from Koyonzo Police Station to the scene of crime is less than 100 metres but it still baffles us that police took very long to arrive at the scene to contain what was happening,” said Wakili Robert Ojou.
He added, “Life is very precious and we are not going to allow our people to die like dogs, lose property worth millions yet we have a police station around that is supposed to protect the interests of the local businesspeople.”
Business along the busy Mumias-Busia Road was paralyzed as the irate residents lit bonfires along the busy road.
Police had a very hard time in trying to quell the protests.
