Kisumu residents turned up in numbers on Sunday to hold a peaceful procession aimed at urging the local people to maintain peace during and after the March 4 general election.
Despite the scorching sun, the residents held their march which started from Kondele, one of the hotspots of violence.
The procession later snaked its way along the Kisumu - Kakamega road to the Jomo Kenyatta grounds where a peace meeting was held.
Speaking at the forum, Nyanza Provincial Commissioner Francis Mutie who took part in the walk appealed to local residents to maintain peace and not to allow a repeat of the 2007/2008 post election violence to recur.
Destruction of property will scare away investors
Mutie urged the youth to refrain from destruction of property, noting that such actions will scare away the potential investors.
He pointed out that Kisumu International Airport has done the city proud by linking it to the world tourism circuit, and asked the residents to behave responsibly to create a friendly environment for their stay.
Mutie also cautioned against issuing of threats to other communities, arguing that Kenyans should not be divided along ethnicity lines.
“Let us live in harmony with each other because any threat to any business community is a threat to the country’s economy,” he remarked.
Avoid street protests
At the same time, he advised candidates that might not be satisfied with the outcome of elections to seek legal redress from the courts and not resort to street protests.
The peace caravan was organised by the Kisumu Imperial hotel, Aga Khan Hospital, banks, boda boda operators among others.
Imperial Hotel Managing Director Munira Gilani divulged that they have enjoyed peace for the past five years, which has seen their business expand.
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