A popular mobile phone shop located at the intersection of Ronald Ngala and Tom Mboya streets in Nairobi’s Central Business District was swept clean on the night of Thursday June 20, 2024, following Finance Bill protests in the city.
On Friday morning, before workers could arrive, Kenyans milled the scene to catch a glimpse of damage.
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The incident left the shop with shattered windows, and it is believed that the break-in took place under the cover of darkness.
Some of the onlookers who spoke in low tones however, wondered whether the attackers were part of the demonstrations or took advantage of the situation to commit the crime.
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A few minutes before 7am Friday, the scene had not been sealed off and the police were not bothered.
The few officers in the vicinity were preoccupied with other duties including controlling traffic flow.
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Since the start of the anti-Finance Bill demos, there had been no reported cases of hooliganism or violence.
Finance Bill Protests in Nairobi CBD
On Thursday, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome issued a stern warning as Finance Bill demos entered the second day.
“With utmost respect to the provisions of Article 37 of the Constitution stipulating the right of citizens to assemble, demonstrate and picket, the Service will neither condone nor approve efforts by demonstrators to either occupy critical government infrastructure including Parliament Buildings, or disrupt the ongoing Parliamentary proceedings,” said Kenya’s police boss in a statement.
This comes despite the protestors’ code of conduct, which explicitly prohibits any illegal activities.
From as early as 10 am on June 20th, Nairobi streets hundreds of protesters had already flocked the streets of Nairobi determined to voice their objection to proposals in the Bill.
Several retail outlets, banks, hotels and shops remained closed for the better part of Thursday 20th June 2024 as operators feared the aftermath of the protests.
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Demonstrations were also witnessed across major cities and towns including Nakuru, Eldoret, Nanyuki, Kisii, Kisumu, Kakamega and Nyeri.
Code of Conduct
Despite the anti-Finance Bill protests, leaders had repeatedly emphasized the importance of non-violence and respect for property, last night’s events indicate a troubling deviation from these principles.
According to their code of conduct, the event was strictly alcohol-free, and any form of violence, weapon possession, or vandalism was prohibited.
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“Deliberate or reckless damage to property is not allowed,” the code of conduct read.
It further warned of individuals who may be employed to incite violence or unrest.
Any suspicious behavior was to be reported to the police, who were present at the event.
As the investigation continues, the mobile phone shop’s owners are left to assess the full extent of their losses and the challenges ahead in rebuilding their business.
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