Migori town was on Monday engulfed in Anti-government demonstrations fueled by opposition amid a regional summit.
Angry residents carrying twigs, empty sufurias and cooking sticks converged around Migori Town Bridge which they blocked using boulders.
As the crowd swelled, police stood by angering demonstrators who were provoking them to lob teargas at them
“We are out of the streets call for the high cost of living and inflation to be tackled,” Eric Opany, county ODM youth leader said.
The busy road connecting Kenya and Tanzania was blocked as vehicles and motorists chose an alternative route of of town.
Jittery business people also closed shop fearing a spate of looting.
The demonstrators marched towards Migori county commissioner office in the town demanding police to lob teargas at them.
“We are having a regional meeting of 14 counties for three days starting tomorrow, we thought we were to get a booming business and we are afraid,” Anne Juma, a trader said.
Juma said demonstrators have been threading businesses to close.
“The main venue of the event will be at Migori County Stadium which is in the epicenter of the demonstrations, we are hopeful the event will go on,” she said.
Traders are afraid the demonstrations will get worse ahead of March 20 deadline placed by ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Migori was to host the eleventh summit of Lake Region Economic Block (Lreb) summit from March 14 for three days.
The summit cover counties in entire Nyanza and Western region and part of Rift Valley to include Kericho, Bomet and Trans Nzoia.
Last week, LREB chief executive officer Victor Nyagaya and governor Ochillo Ayacko met and said they expected a good turnout.
They said the 14 member counties of the economic block should leverage on their potential for energy productions for both domestic and industrial use.
Nyagaya stressed on the need for infrastructural development , which he said is pillar to attaining the objectives of LREB.
The CEO who was in Migori for preparations for the 11th LREB summit to be hosted at the county said among their achievements in the health sector include the drone medicine deliveries system in Kisumu .
The technology driven initiative , he said , is used to reach remote parts of the county and save on wastage of time transporting drugs.
Ayacko on his side expressed optimism on unlocking water transport within Lake Victoria region .
Ayacko at the same noted that Migori county has a huge agricultural and tourism potential that should be tapped for economic gains.
He added that matters blue economy, Climate change and sustainable development will dominate the upcoming event.
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