Business leaders and elected officials from Nairobi Central Business District condems violent and criminal events that marred the June 25 protests.
What began as a youth-led demonstration was, according to the leaders, hijacked by organized criminal gangs who looted shops, vandalized property, and, in deeply troubling incidents, reportedly raped and assaulted women business owners and workers.
In an emotional and urgent press conference led by Nairobi Central Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Mwaniki Kwenya, Business leader Eddie Mwangi and Chairman Samuel Mwiruri described the chaos and trauma faced by residents and traders.
The officials decried mass loss of properties, a city bleeding without order, blaming political incitement and lack of government preparedness for the destruction.
Speaking with journalists at his office in Nairobi on Thursday evening, Kwenya calls on government to keep peace and provide security to all Kenyans.“This city has no order at the moment. It is our prayer that we want to have a county that has order, that has opportunity for all, and that business continues. But at the moment, people are suffering.” says Kwenya
Business women recalled a disturbing revelations about how women traders were raped and beaten during the protests by thugs posing as demonstrators.
Several business owners claimed that gangs used protests as cover to case businesses, scout for safes and valuable items, and return later to loot targeted premises.“These were not protestors, they were criminals pretending to be part of a cause. They knew exactly where they were going. Some entered shops earlier pretending to buy, only to return to rob and destroy.” said one business person
The press conference culminated in a list of official demands addressed to the county and national governments by traders.”We are demanding a full waiver of licenses and permit fees for all affected traders for the next three years. Give them a chance to recover. We know who they are. These are real businesses ruined by thugs.”said Kwenya
The area MCA urges Nairobians who owns houses to install functional CCTV systems, which would not only deter future attacks but support police investigations. “Security is not just a county mandate. Landlords must also take responsibility,” added Kwenya.He condemned of political incitement, accusing unnamed politicians of financing and inciting chaos through youth. “You’re not a protestor. You’re a bad person, a criminal. You deserve to be punished,” another trader said
The business community calls on government for compensation of all affected businesses, demanding that President William Ruto’s government should launch an immediate compensation programme. “Our people are bleeding. Our livelihoods are gone. This is not a request; it is a demand,” said MCA Kwenya.
The Nairobi MCA demands arrest and prosecution of perpetrators who looted traders businesses in Nairobi.
He insisted that over 200 individuals must be arrested and arraigned in court by Monday, failure to act swiftly would be interpreted as government complicity or negligence.“If we do not see action, we will take measures to protect our own businesses,” Kwenya warned
