A businesswoman from Kenol town in Murang’a county is
among traders counting huge losses following Saba Saba protests
when her supermarket and several other businesses were looted and vandalised.
The brazen attack, which took place in broad daylight,
left many business owners counting heavy losses and hundreds of employees
facing an uncertain future.
County Supermarket proprietor Anabel Wanjiku whose four other businesses were vandalised said on Tuesday she incurred losses of more than Sh200 million.
The County Supermarket, one of the largest retail
outlets in Kenol, bore the brunt of the attack when large groups of people
broke into the premises, destroyed property and made away with goods worth
millions of shillings.
While the protesters could not break into the
supermarket in Kenol town, other supermarkets belonging to Wanjiku in Kabati, Murang'a, Kagio and Kagumo in Kirinyaga county
were vandalised and looted.
"I am devastated. I have lost goods and property worth more than Sh200 million,” she said.
“This is not just about me; more than 300 employees
who depended on these businesses for their livelihood are now staring at
joblessness.”
Wanjiku disclosed her long-standing commitment to the
community, sharing how she has been supporting needy students by paying for their education as well as supplying bread to a local special needs
school over the past 10 years.
“I have been helping more than 100 students, some abroad
and others in primary, secondary and university, by paying their school fees.
Now I do not know where I will get the money to support them,” she said
tearfully.
“For over a decade, I have ensured children in one of
our local schools do not miss bread. Now, even that is at stake. While I wait
for the insurance company to process my claim, I am left wondering how I will
meet all these responsibilities.”
The destruction sparked an outcry from community
members and fellow business owners who condemned the violence and urged the
government to protect businesses and livelihoods in Kenol and across the
country.
“The police must protect our businesses. We have
families to feed and responsibilities to meet. We ask the government to ensure
those who suffered losses are compensated,” said Moses Murigi, a businessman in Kenol.
Murang’a South subcounty police commander Charity
Karimi said investigations are underway and
several suspects have been arrested.
“We have launched investigations and arrests have been
made. We will not allow criminal elements to take advantage of peaceful
protests to loot and destroy property,” she said.
Karimi assured the public that security operations had
been intensified to prevent further lawlessness.
