Traders grapple with heavy losses amid destruction and looting spree

Empty shelves in Naivas Supermarket in Nyeri after goons looted goods, on June 25, 2025. [Amos Kiarie, Standard] Traders in several parts of the country were on Thursday counting losses as normalcy resumed after the Gen Z protests on Wednesday. While some decried lost business as a result of the closure of their premises, others were assessing losses after goons who had infiltrated the protests looted some properties. This happened as county and national government officials also began taking stock of the destruction, which also targeted public property. In Bungoma, a manager at Jadelika Hotel, Josephat Onchiri, said foodstuffs were looted from his premises by more than 50 goons. The mob stormed the hotel, destroying televisions in the lounge, then raided the kitchen and bakery. They consumed all available food, looted items, and left a trail of destruction in their wake. "About 50 armed goons entered our premises. They cleared the buffet, looted cakes and bread from the bakery, and vandalised everything in their way," said the hotel manager. He said some of his staff sustained injuries as they attempted to stop the goons from accessing the facility. "It was total chaos. Our staff, however, fought back and ended up with minor injuries," said Onchiri. The hotel management condemned the attack, noting that the establishment is not affiliated with any politician. Several shops selling electronic devices were looted during protests at OTC in Nairobi, on June 26, 2025. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] "Some of the goons kept shouting that this hotel belongs to the President. That is not the case, and we condemn that act," Onchiri said. Other traders said they had to close their premises for fear of looting and opted to stay at home. For instance, Maureen Wafula, a cooking gas supplier, said she was afraid her shop would be looted by the protesters. Similarly, a trail of destruction was left at the county headquarters after the protests turned violent. The demonstrations, were peaceful in the morning with hundreds of youth marching through the streets of Bungoma town, but later turned chaotic after police officers lobbed teargas canisters at the protesters in a bid to disperse the growing crowd. The demonstrators retaliated by hurling stones, sparking running battles that lasted several hours. Traders in Naivasha, Nakuru, and Ol Kalou also suffered huge losses as goons infiltrated the peaceful protest to mark the first remembrance of the State-instigated Gen Z killings. The goons looted supermarkets and burnt vehicles in an operation that lasted for five hours without any police intervention. Traders ponder their next move after their shops were looted during the Gen Z protest, in Nairobi on June 26, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] In Molo sub-county, five government vehicles, including a fire engine, were set ablaze at the local sub-county office. The protesters accessed the office by bringing down a section of the perimeter wall before ransacking the entire building, where most public records were damaged. Outside the building, the protesters turned to county government vehicles, setting three cars, a lorry, a fire engine, and a tractor on fire. Prior to this, the protesters had looted several shops and a supermarket, where they made away with goods valued at millions of shillings. In Nyandarua County, hell broke loose in Ol Kalou town when reports emerged that police had shot dead a protester. Demonstrators invaded a local police station, where they set it ablaze, before burning 26 government vehicles, 11 motorcycles, a county library, and several administrative offices belonging to both county and national government departments. Nyandarua Governor, Moses Kiarie Badilisha, who visited the scene of destruction yesterday, described the incident as a significant setback for public service delivery. He stated that the loss of these assets would severely disrupt essential services for the people. Badilisha called for a swift and thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice, stating, "Let us not allow violence to drown out the legitimate voices of our youth." In Naivasha, goons looted three top supermarkets in the town for over five hours without police action. According to the proprietors, tens of youths were ferried to the lakeside town with the intention of disrupting the peaceful Gen Z protest and looted the supermarkets. This came as the management of Naivas, Powerstar, and Khetias supermarkets started counting losses after the incident, which left area residents in shock. During the looting spree, goons set ablaze part of Powerstar Supermarket before breaking in and carting away assorted electronic equipment and food. According to Lakeview MCA Alex Mbugua, the day-long demo was infiltrated by the hired goons, leading to massive losses. He said that police were overwhelmed by the high number of demonstrators. "Three supermarkets were raided and goods worth millions stolen, and we believe that some hired goons were ferried to the town," he said. Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha inspects 29 vehicles belonging to the county and national government that were set ablaze during GenZ protests, on June 25, 2025. [James Munyeki, Standard] Mbugua said it required the efforts of Kenya Defence Forces officers to stop the looting at the Naivas Supermarket branch along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. Speaking on the phone, Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo said that more than 40 people had been arrested in connection with looting. He added that peace and order had since been restored and more security officers dispatched to the lakeside town. "We have managed to restore order following the Wednesday looting incident, and we are following up on those involved," he said. In Kisii, business in the agricultural town came to a standstill for the entire day after protests turned chaotic. Save for a few boda boda operators, nearly all businesses remained shut. Scores of youths had barricaded roads entering Kisii town with stones and bonfires the whole day, even as police tried their best to disperse them. The irate youths took to the streets to protest in a show of solidarity in the countrywide Gen Z demonstrations as they demanded justice for the families of those who were killed in similar demonstrations last year. They engaged anti-riot police, who came out to man the streets, in a game of hide and seek. Kikuyu Law Courts were vandalised and set ablaze by goons, on June 25, 2025. [Kimaku Chege, Standard] Transport business was the most affected, with public service vehicles plying different routes from the main stage keeping off the CBD. "I always make about Sh3,000 every day from my taxi business. However, I did not make anything," said Josah Omwenga, a taxi operator. He said the windscreen of his vehicle was also smashed by goons, adding that some of his colleagues suffered a similar fate. Report by Kennedy Gachuhi, Ann Njoroge, James Munyeki, Antony Gitonga, Benard Lusigi, Juliet Omelo, Stanley Ongwae and Mary Imenza.

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