TRADERS COUNT LOSSES AFTER NATIONWIDE PROTESTS

Traders and business owners in many parts of the country are experiencing massive losses after criminals exploited the protests to loot shops, vandalize property, and torch businesses, leaving behind destruction worth millions of shillings. The stealing of goods worth millions and destruction of property as protests erupted in at least 26 of 47 counties. Those affected were mostly traders around Nairobi where mobile phones, clothes, motorcycle spare parts and other electronic gadgets were looted by thugs. Small M-Pesa shops and supermarkets were also broken into and also looters attempted to break into Co-operative Bank branches in Githurai and Dagoretti Market.

 Shops located at a building along Koja Area were broken into, looted and later set on fire resulting to millions of losses especially to one trader who had recently bought new printing machines. In Nyeri county, people were captured on video breaking into Naivas Supermarket and stealing goods. In Thika, Ananas Mall was not spared either. In Nakuru town, Total Petrol Station located along Kenyatta Avenue was looted before police intervened. In Meru Bei Sawa supermarket was also looted, while in Kisii, Shivling Supermarket was broken into before the police intervened. A full stocked timber yard on Naivasha Road was looted and everything taken.

The rampant destruction extended to other counties like Kiambu, Muranga, Embu, Machakos, Makueni, Kajiado and so forth with many recording immense losses. A total of 27 national and county government vehicles were destroyed, and 65 civilian vehicles parked in various police stations, including a school bus, were also burned. Many business owners have pleaded with the government to provide security in future protests, so that their source of sustenance is guaranteed. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that the government has not allocated any budget to compensate the victims whose properties were either looted or destroyed during protests. He has further urged the Parliament to enact a law that defines compensation for such victims and impose stiffer penalties on looters.