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The business community in Kisumu town is reeling from the massive effects of the Wednesday anti-government protests that left the sector hard hit.

A spot check by People Daily established that most business establishments in the lakeside city were trying to recollect from the huge losses they incurred as a result of the demonstrations called by the opposition leaders to push the government to lower the high cost of living and abolish the new taxes under the Finance Act, 2023.

A section of traders at the Kisumu’s Jua kali area bore the brunt of the demos as sections of their shops were burned down in an inferno that broke out during the chaotic scenes of the protests.

Property of unknown value was destroyed in part of the Jua Kali area after a mysterious fire incident.
The fire left a trail of destruction as it gutted down various shops, including vehicles parked within the area.

Only a handful of the traders managed to salvage their wares before the fire spread as other shops were completely razed down.

Kisumu City firefighters rushed to the scene and tried to put out the fire and also deter it from spreading further.

A water cannon belonging to the General Service Unit (GSU) later joined in to help put out the fire.
According to reports, the cause of the fire remains unknown, with both the police and protestors trading blame over the same.

Similarly, the traders were counting losses resulting from the total shutdown of businesses due to the demos.

Most businesses remained closed for the better part of Wednesday as the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya protesters engaged in running battles with anti-riot police officers.

Yesterday, Kisumu county Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) branch chairman Israel Agina said the sector suffered immensely from the protests.

He said they were conducting an assessment to establish the level of destruction and loss caused.