A female trader who was part of the media address cited an instance of a local supermarket looted in three hours while police were absent and instead using excessive force to quell the protests.
With more anti-government protests planned for Thursday, business owners in Nairobi which has borne the brunt of the demonstrations for three weeks have vowed to protect their own premises at all costs from goons who have been infiltrating the recent demonstrations to cause chaos.
The traders under the Nairobi Business Community who spoke during a press briefing on Wednesday, July 3 called out Adamson Bungei, who is reported to have been reassigned from the Nairobi police boss position, for declining to order his police officers to intervene to prevent the goons from mass-raiding and looting shops in the Central Business District (CBD).
A female trader who was part of the media address cited an instance of a local supermarket looted in three hours while police were absent and instead using excessive force to quell the protests.
Nairobi Business Community Chairperson Wilfred Kamau (left) and Nairobi CBD Boda Boda Association Chair Dennis Achieng’ (centre) lead traders in a press briefing on July 3, 2024. /EASTLEIGH VOICE
“We are asking you one question, is it that your police officers are collaborating with whoever is deploying the goons?” she posed in fury, adding that another supermarket was hit in a similar manner, but in under two hours, without police intervention.
She believed that the businesses were not being given priority status in terms of security. According to her, some of the clientele in her business are children who treat her with respect anytime they interact with her.
“I want to ask you Bungei, with all honesty, will those children raid the shops of their mothers? Will those children raid the shops of their fathers? It cannot happen,” she added, indicating that some unknown individuals were part and parcel of a well-organized criminal syndicate.
The trader announced that the business owners will resort to protecting their premises from any future break-ins, thefts, and arson, even if they have to put their lives on the line.
“We have given you a notice. From tomorrow, we are defending our businesses, if you want to shoot us alongside our children, that is your problem but let the whole world know that the Nairobi Business Community has come out and will protect our businesses,” she vowed.
The Community’s chairperson, Wilfred Kamau, described the goons’ criminal acts as despicable, accusing the police of failure to arrest those who conducted the looting.
The members, on their part, claimed that the goons were being sponsored by politicians out to cause mayhem for selfish reasons.
“We do not believe the Gen Z had the intention of looting businesses when they called for protests against the government. Their noble action is being infiltrated by criminals,” Kamau said.
On Tuesday, a woman identified as Immaculate who was taking part in the peaceful demonstrations took it upon herself to defend business premises in the city from marauding goons. Armed with a baton, she went viral overnight with netizens lauding her boldness and bravery as well as her good looks.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki announced that the government would crack down on those who are found to have planned and orchestrated the infiltration of the anti-government protests using criminal gangs who caused havoc on public and private property.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) released pictures of people it said were wanted for lawlessness during the protests against the Finance Bill 2024 and President William Ruto’s government.
Kenyans captured on CCTV looting shops during the anti-Finance Bill protests. /DCI