TENSION is high in RAILA’s backyard KISUMU City as residents FLEE town ahead of poll.

The Kenyan DAILY POSTNews04:19

Wednesday February 20, 2013 - Kisumu City is beginning to bear the brunt of the high political temperatures in the country with the lake side city recording a slowdown of business activities and massive departure of people from the city ahead of March 4^thgeneral election.

Many institutions in the city like Chase Bank and Family Bank have taken   precautionary measures  by giving compulsory leave to their employees who do not hail from the region for fear of being targets in the violence should the election result turn out against the people’s expectations.

Businesses in Kisumu are closing down due to uncertainty that surrounds the upcoming election with many tenants in Kisumu giving notices to vacate houses before March 4^thleaving landlords and real estate businesses badly affected.

According to Mr. Hitesh Dhanan, the Director of Ukwala Supermarket they have not downsized their staff but they have just reduced their minimum stock level to avoid huge losses like the one incurred during the 2008 post poll violence which run to over Sh1 billion.

However, Nyanza Provincial Commissioner Mr. Francis Mutie has dismissed the claim of there being tension in the city saying they have beefed up security including the use of GSU’s and urged residents not to flee town because it is safe.

The Kenyan DAILY POST