Quickmart Supermarket has responded to claims circulating online alleging that at least 50 dead bodies were found inside its OTC branch following Wednesday’s June 25 Gen Z demonstrations.
In an official statement issued on Thursday June 26, the retailer denied the claims, clarifying that both its OTC and Ruiru outlets were affected during the protests, but no injuries or deaths were reported at either location.
“Contrary to misleading information circulating on digital platforms, we wish to assure the public that no staff, customers, or any other individuals were injured or deceased at the two outlets,” Quickmart said.
“The safety and security of our employees, customers, and the wider community remain our top priorities.”
Quickmart Refutes Claims of Dead Bodies at OTC Branch
The supermarket chain acknowledged the disruption caused by the demonstrations and emphasized its commitment to restoring normal operations.
“While we recognize that the recent events have posed a significant challenge for these outlets, we want to emphasize that Quickmart is deeply committed to restoring normalcy as swiftly as possible,” the retailer added.
“We are actively engaging all necessary measures to ensure continued service excellence and to support our shoppers and staff during this time.”
Also Read: How Govt Targeted Online Protests
Quickmart said it remains dedicated to caring for its community and will continue to keep the public informed as they work towards stability and recovery.
In the meantime, customers of the two branches were advised to access its services at their nearest alternative Quickmart branch.
The police are yet to respond to these claims.
Earlier, large crowds were seen standing in front of Quickmart OTC, with a heavy police presence. Police were forced to use teargas to disperse the gathering.
Traders Count Heavy Losses from Looting and Destruction
This comes after business activities and transport were disrupted across 25 counties on Wednesday as protestors took to the streets to mark the first anniversary of the deadly 2024 Finance Bill demonstrations.
Traders suffered losses as businesses were looted, buildings torched during protests.
Several shops along Moi Avenue were broken into, with windows smashed and items stolen by suspected criminals who infiltrated the protests.
Similar destruction was witnessed at OTC, where Quickmart and nearby shops were looted. A building housing the Moonstar Hotel at the OTC roundabout was also torched.
Also Read: CITAM Responds to Reports of Turning Away Protesters During June 25 Protests
On Thursday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited affected areas in Nairobi to assess the damage to businesses, where goods were looted from several stores.
He stated that police would work closely with business owners whose CCTV footage captured the looters to ensure swift arrests and accountability.
The CS also claimed that the protests were a well-orchestrated attempt to overthrow the government.
“Yesterday, police foiled an attempted coup. The demos had nothing to do with protests or freedom of expression. It was an unconstitutional attempt to change the government of the day,” he said.
He described the unrest as an act of terrorism, alleging it was politically instigated, well-funded, and executed with precision.
“We did not witness protests. What we saw yesterday were acts of terrorism. It was deliberate and funded,” he added.
Murkomen further confirmed that at least 10 people were killed and over 400 injured, including 300 police officers.
Nine police stations were attacked, five of them torched, while 88 police vehicles, 28 government cars, and 65 private vehicles, including a school bus, were destroyed.
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