What began as a peaceful Saba Saba demonstration quickly spiralled into chaos, leaving a trail of destruction, looted shops, and torched businesses across Nairobi and several other counties.
While protesters took to the streets to express grievances, small traders — the backbone of Kenya’s informal economy — were left to pick up the pieces, victims of a cause they had no part in organizing.
In Murang’a County, businesses incurred losses exceeding Ksh500 million following violent protests in Kabati and Kenol towns.
Among the most severely affected were Magunas Supermarkets, which also saw one branch in Meru burned down, and County Supermarket, whose four branches were looted in two counties.
Annabel Njambi, proprietor of County Supermarket, recounted her ordeal, her voice breaking.
Njambi said her business suffered losses amounting to Ksh100 million, affecting branches in Kabati, Kenol, Kagio, and Kagumo.
“Where would a demonstrator take shelves? Isn’t someone planning to destroy me financially? I have employed about 300 youths from local communities. Some will have to go home now. Some branches have been destroyed too much and need repairs. What will we do with these children?” she asked, fighting tears.
James Waweru, chairperson of the Murang’a County Business Forum, said on Tuesday that beyond theft and destruction, significant losses came from the hours-long forced closures.
“Our preliminary findings indicate that the destruction that occurred in Murang’a was perpetrated by youths who are not residents,” Waweru said.
“How can residents of Kabati town destroy the one business that can offer them employment? Can an ordinary person just break into a supermarket?”
Waweru further condemned the attacks, stating that businesses were specifically targeted. Waweru vowed that the county’s 40,000 small and medium enterprises would be more prepared to protect their investments in the future.
How traders were left counting millions in losses after Saba Saba chaos
The destruction even reached Nice Digital City in Kirinyaga, which was vandalized, looted, and left with shattered premises.
The proprietor of Nice Digital City, Charles Mkombozi, estimated losses worth Ksh50 million after goons broke into a supermarket and a hotel, feasting on ready food and destroying furniture.
Also Read: Nice City Owner Who Lost Millions Narrates How IG Kanja Saved His Premises
In Nairobi’s Shauri Moyo area, the situation was equally dire as traders were among the hardest hit.
James Njogu, a wholesale trader dealing in metallic hardware, had his stores broken into, with goods stolen and his two lorries — essential for distributing supplies — torched by the rioters.
Njogu’s neighbors, also wholesalers in Shauri Moyo, suffered similar fates as looters descended without mercy.
Nearby, at Kirigiti market, farmers watched helplessly as their perishable produce rotted on highways due to transport paralysis caused by police roadblocks and widespread violence.
Many of these farmers say they have been left with no capital to reinvest and have become vulnerable overnight.
The same frustrations were shared by transport operators whose Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) were stalled for hours, compounding their losses.
The devastation extended to Nakuru, where businesses at West End and Stage Mart reported millions of shillings in losses after looting and destruction.
Meanwhile, in Meru County, Magunas Supermarket at Makutano was looted and then set ablaze, resulting in goods worth millions of shillings going up in flames.
Investigations and arrests made
Many of these traders had relied on loans to establish businesses they hoped would shield them from the harsh economic realities. Now, those hopes lie in ashes.
As businesses continue to tally their losses, law enforcement agencies have moved to arrest those responsible for the violence and destruction.
In Embu County, Manyatta Member of Parliament John Gitonga Mwaniki Mukungi, along with Stanely Mbuthia Wanjiru (a boda boda operator) and James Ikua Mbochi of Royal Media Services (RMS), were arraigned at Kahawa Law Courts for custodial orders related to violence in the region on July 7.
MP Mukunji will also face additional charges for allegedly funding violence during earlier protests on June 25 in Juja.
In Meru County, 50 suspects connected to the violent robbery and arson at Magunas Supermarket have been arrested and appeared in court on Wednesday, July 9. The crackdown continues to target other identified suspects.
In Machakos County, 66 suspects were arrested for their involvement in burning a gas tanker along Kitui Road, while 10 others captured on video are still being pursued.
The Central Region also recorded numerous arrests. In Mwea town, 21 suspects linked to the looting at Nice City Supermarket were arraigned, with police granted custodial orders to finalize investigations.
Six suspects were charged in relation to the looting at County Supermarket in Kerugoya, and two suspects were arraigned for stealing at County Supermarket in Murang’a.
Further investigations are ongoing, with forensic teams analyzing CCTV footage of criminals vandalizing Kerugoya CDF offices.
Eight suspects believed to have torched the CCTV strong room are already in custody, aided by recovered DVR systems.
More arrests
Nine suspects found in possession of assorted stolen goods in Kagio have also been arrested.
Also Read: Little-Known Details of County Supermarket Owner Annabel Njambi
In Nyandarua County, seven suspects arrested for violent attacks during the protests were arraigned, each granted a cash bail of Ksh7 million.
In Nairobi, several supermarkets in Kasarani, including Quickmart, Powermart, and Magunas, were vandalized and looted.
Eleven suspects have been arrested so far, with more still being pursued.
In Nakuru County, 92 suspects have since appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nakuru.
Dozens of suspects linked to the violent Saba Saba demonstrations have also been arraigned in various courts across the country including Eldoret, Narok, Ngong and Nanyuki.
The aftermath of the protests has left a deep scar on Kenya’s business community.
As traders struggle to rebuild, they are calling for better protection and accountability, insisting that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, destruction of livelihoods should never be part of the price.
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