Retail stores, food joints hard hit in recent wave of demos, protests 

By , July 15, 2025

Supermarkets, food joints, and retail outlets suffered significant losses following the recent wave of nationwide protests. 

This has led the retail sector to now be grappling with the aftermath of disrupted supply chains, reduced consumer traffic, and heightened operational uncertainty that were brought by looting and destruction of properties. 

Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui held a meeting between the government and the Retail Trade Association of Kenya (Retrak) on July 14, 2025, to discuss the economic impact of the demonstrations, which saw widespread unrest in urban centres 

“Retail is a vital engine for jobs, wealth creation, and a key market for our agricultural and manufactured goods. It must be protected,” said Kinyanjui, 

The CS also emphasised the sector’s central role in stabilising Kenya’s economy and supporting livelihoods. 

Looting incidents  

The protests resulted in temporary closures of major stores, looting incidents, and transport disruptions that paralysed the delivery of goods to retail points. Some outlets in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Mombasa reported losses running into millions of shillings after being forced to shut down operations for safety reasons. 

“We discussed pressing challenges from supply chain disruptions and regulatory uncertainty to fiscal pressures,” said Kinyanjui. 

Smaller businesses, particularly informal food vendors and neighbourhood retail shops, were also hit hard, with many unable to recover perishable stock and meet rent or salary obligations for the month. 

The meeting also touched on longer-term issues affecting the sector, including regulatory unpredictability and growing fiscal pressures amid slow economic recovery. 

To address these challenges, Kinyanjui announced plans to convene a multisectoral forum aimed at unlocking the sector’s full potential and ensuring a resilient and inclusive retail environment. 

“To find lasting solutions, we agreed to convene a multisectoral forum that will unlock the sector’s full potential as a pillar of Kenya’s economic growth,” he added. 

In attendance were County Supermarket owner Annabell Njambi and Peter Kago of Naivas, among others. They also raised issues of multiple licensing by counties, high charges by MSCK, many different licences and ETIMS challenges. 

The CS undertook to convene a multi-agency meeting to address the issues, which included County Executives of Trade, Council of Governors, security, KRA, and MSCK. 

After the June 25 protest, a lot of businesses were counting losses after their shops were vandalised, stolen, and some were torched.

The government has condemned the destruction of property, loss of lives, and the rising incidents of violence. 

“Many young Kenyans feel excluded, unheard, and increasingly disillusioned. Their frustration stems from a combination of factors: high unemployment, economic hardship, lack of trust in institutions, limited opportunities, and a perceived failure of leadership to address their needs and aspirations,” said Samuel Kobia Chairperson the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) 

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