Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Erick Rutto is calling on the government to safeguard businesses from looting and destruction during political protests.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, Rutto expressed worries over the increasing damage imposed on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), during recent protests, including the Saba Saba protests and others held on June 17 and June 25.
“What we’ve witnessed is devastating; SMEs are bearing the brunt, yet they form the backbone of our economy,” Rutto said.Rutto mentioned recent incidents in Meru County where businesses like Magunas Supermarket and the popular Seven Eleven club were vandalised.
Several other shops were also looted or set on fire during the chaos, leaving proprietors counting heavy losses
He stated that while political disruptions may be unavoidable at times, the economic toll of such protests, particularly on small traders, has reached alarming levels.
Estimates suggest Kenya loses up to KSh 3 billion each day during major protests, much of it from SMEs that lack the financial buffers to recover quickly.
According to Rutto, SMEs contribute roughly 40% to the country’s GDP and provide 82% of Kenya’s jobs. In contrast, the larger private sector contributes 60% of GDP but only 18% of employment.
“There’s a structural imbalance in the economy; the people who employ the most are the ones most exposed and least protected,” he said.Rutto urged a policy rethink to shield SMEs from the ripple effects of political instability.
He also questioned the sustainability of Kenya’s current economic and governance structure, saying devolution, while well-intentioned, has become financially burdensome in its current form.
“We don’t need more political prescriptions. We need honest economic conversations and solutions,” he added.His remarks come amid growing concern from business leaders and civil society over the economic fallout from protests and how vulnerable small businesses continue to suffer in the absence of clear protection mechanisms.
