Nice Digital City owner Charles Mkombozi, who is among businesspeople counting heavy losses following widespread looting and destruction of property worth millions of shillings during the Saba Saba protests on Monday, has narrated how the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, came to his aid.
The premises, which host several businesses including a hotel and a supermarket, were among the worst-hit in Kirinyaga County after enraged protesters stormed, forcing police to intervene using tear gas in a bid to disperse the unruly crowd.
The destruction left the once-thriving establishment in ruins. Goods worth millions of shillings were looted, but the building was not burned, as was the case in other premises.
Videos circulating online captured the extent of the destruction, showing empty shelves and broken glass inside the supermarket.
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Speaking after the incident, Mkombozi on Tuesday said that property worth approximately Ksh50 million was looted and vandalized.
“Hired goons invaded the property. They were not that many, reports allege that they had held secret meetings in undisclosed locations. They were very violent and managed to break in after arriving at around 9.00 a.m. They broke windows and doors before they engaged police in back-and-forth battles for about two hours,” he narrated.
He added that at about 11.00 a.m., another contingent of officers was deployed as reinforcement.
According to him, the contingent, made up of about 100 officers, also ran out of tear gas and bullets after they were overpowered.
Nice Digital City owner narrates how IG Kanja came to his rescue
At the same time, the businessman revealed that IG Kanja came to his aid when he ordered the deployment of General Service Unit (GSU) officers from Nairobi after the initial contingent of officers was overpowered.
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He added that the premises, which he said were built through a bank loan, employed over 1,000 people, all of whom are now jobless.
“IG Kanja is the one who saved Nice Digital City. He sent a special GSU team from Nairobi. He sent about 100 GSU officers who when they arrived, the looters became frightened and scattered. If it is not for IG Kanja, Nice Digital City would not be here as we speak,” he added.
“Property worth more than Ksh50 million was stolen and destroyed, and it was all funded through bank loans. Over 1,000 young people were working here, but now they have no jobs.”
According to the businessman, about 30 arrests have since been made and are being held by police pending arraignment in court.
Significant damage was also reported in Meru, Kiambu, Murang’a, and Nyeri counties, where businesses were looted and, in some cases, set ablaze by demonstrators.
Most of the affected traders were owners of supermarkets, clothing stores, and other retail outlets.
In Makutano Town, Meru County, demonstrators raided a club and Magunas Supermarket, looted goods, and later set the building on fire.
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