Trader s from different parts of the country are counting heavy losses after their businesses were looted and vandalized by goons during violent scenes that erupted on Wednesday 25th June 2025.
What began as a young generation peaceful demonstration to exercise constitutional rights and remembrance of Gen Z who lost lives a year on, suddenly turned into chaos, with widespread reports of looting, mugging, and violence.
At least 11 people were killed, over 400 injured, and property worth millions damaged across major towns.Among businesses that were vandalized includes cooperative bank ATMs, Naivas Supermarket, Quick Mart, and small businesses.
Major roads like Thika Super High was vandalized.In Nairobi, thousands of young men and women protesters gathered in the central business district, Mfangano streats, Harry Thuku road and along key streets, voicing frustrations over government’s punitive economy, abductions, extra judicial killings, hardships and government policies.
However, the protests were soon infiltrated by criminal thugs described by eye witnesses as “goons,” who unleashed a wave of destruction.Supermarkets, shops were broken and burnt, vehicles vandalized, and pedestrians mugged in broad daylight, forcing businesses to close abruptly.
In Nyeri, Nakuru, Eldoret, Mombasa, Kericho experienced similar scenes while in Kikuyu Consituency, Kiambu a police station was burnt and shops vandalized, motivated by political interests
Authorities have vowed to prosecute those found culpable and urged members of the public to differentiate between peaceful protesters and criminal infiltrators.
Meanwhile, Law Society of Kenya, Katiba Institute among other civil society groups have condemned the violence, accusing the government of using excessive power to it’s citizens.
The human rights groups have call on government for accountability, dialogue to address the root causes of unrest.
Investigations are are underway as security agencies work to restore calm and assess the full scale of damage.
