Siaya town will remain calm today after a much-publicized protest over the relocation of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) Siaya branch failed to materialize.
Siaya County Police Commander, Madam Serah Koki, confirmed that the demonstrations earlier announced by Alego-Usonga Member of Parliament Samuel Onunga Atandi would not proceed. She attributed the cancellation to both procedural and political considerations.
“In the absence of a formal request to hold demonstrations filed in ample time, the convenor of the protest has willingly called it off,” said Koki.
The commander praised local leaders for embracing dialogue over confrontation, noting that demonstrations, while constitutional, often risk being hijacked by criminal elements.
“We have witnessed in the past how ill-intentioned individuals infiltrate peaceful gatherings, turning them into avenues for destruction of property and violation of lives. I commend Siaya’s political leadership for avoiding that path this time,” she said.
The standoff that prompted the planned protest revolved around the contested relocation of JOOUST’s Siaya campus, an issue that has sparked heated exchanges between MP Atandi and Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo. Atandi had earlier mobilized residents to protest what he termed a unilateral decision that would disadvantage Alego-Usonga constituents.
However, the MP appeared to soften his stance on Wednesday night, signaling a willingness to give dialogue a chance.
“Our concern remains the future of higher education in Siaya, but we also recognize that this matter can be addressed soberly. I am extending an olive branch to the Governor and other stakeholders to resolve the misunderstanding without unnecessary confrontation,” Atandi stated.
Observers have welcomed the development as a cooling of political temperatures in a county often seen as a hotbed of high-stakes contestations. The decision to cancel the protest also spares Siaya residents the economic disruptions and security anxieties that typically accompany street demonstrations.
Local analysts argue that the move reflects growing political maturity within Siaya’s leadership ranks. By stepping back from confrontation, leaders are sending a message that disagreements over development priorities can be resolved without resorting to mass action.
For many residents, the cancellation is a relief. Traders in Siaya town, who had expressed fear of possible disruptions, said the decision was “a win for peace and business.”
As the county awaits the next step in the JOOUST debate, police say they remain alert but confident that calm will prevail.
“Our doors remain open for dialogue with all leaders, but our priority is always to ensure that the safety of residents and their property is never compromised,” Commander Koki reiterated.
With demonstrations off the table, attention now shifts back to boardrooms and political consultations, where the future of JOOUST’s Siaya branch will likely be determined.
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