Police have shot eight people in Kisumu as a demonstration to commemorate Saba Saba (July 7) day turned chaotic.

Initial reports show that those shot are two primary school pupils, a woman and five men. Six of the victims have been rushed to the Nyanza Provincial General Hospital while the other two were taken to the Kisumu District Hospital.

Tension has gripped the town following the riots and businessmen at the town centre have closed down their premises.

Two policemen were seriously injured after they were cornered by a mob and stoned.

Some of the demonstrators shouted "Katiba must come! Kibaki must go!"

The violence was mainly concentrated at the Kondele and Nyalenda markets, just outside the town centre.

Violence broke out when demonstrators threatened to storm into the Kondele Police Station. Policemen on duty shot in the air to repulse them.

Several activists mark the Saba Saba day every year to commemorate July 7, 1991 when riots broke out across key towns in the country as police broke rallies called to agitate for multi-party democracy.

The government succumbed to pressure later that year and changed the law to allow for registeration of more than one political party.

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