Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has condemned the destruction of property during protests, warning that Kenyans are destroying their own future, dignity and economic backbone. 

She further cautioned Mt Kenya residents against resorting to actions that would lead to self-destruction in the name of criticising the government. 

“But let us not, as Mt Kenya, cut off our nose to spite our face in an attempt to send a message to the government. It distracts from and delegitimises the very real issues that Gen Z have raised, issues that deserve resolution,” she said. 

“If this destruction continues, we will be the biggest losers socially, economically, and politically.” 

Imported goons 

“Why would locals participate in, or silently watch, the destruction of their brothers’ and sisters’ livelihoods? Whether carried out by locals or led by imported goons, this is a tragedy that calls for serious introspection. Why are we destroying our own future, our dignity, and our economic backbone?” she asked. 

One of Kirinyaga’s newest mega businesses, Nice Digital City Hotel in Mwea town, incurred losses amounting to millions after protesters descended on it and looted property. 

Nice Chairman Njiru Mkombozi said that the attack affected operations at the hotel and had left his workers jobless. 

“Goods worth Ksh50 million, which I had bought after taking a bank loan, have been destroyed, including the capital. Over 1,000 youths who derive livelihoods from the business have been left jobless,” Mkombozi said. 

He went on: “I will be forced to take another loan to repay my earlier loan and to restock if this business is to be operational again.”   

Mkombozi said that Mwea residents were also affected by the invasion of his premises, adding that he has been buying rice from them in bulk.   

In Murang’a,  Annabel Njambi, the proprietor of County Supermarkets, said she is counting losses amounting to Ksh200 million following the destruction and looting of her three premises during the Saba Saba protests. 

Njambi claimed one of her former employees led in the destruction of her businesses in Kenol and Kabati towns, and two of her other outlets in Kagio town in Kirinyaga county and Kagumo in Nyeri county were also vandalised. 

She said this is a huge setback for her, and it might be time for her to rebuild the businesses to get them running again. 

“I have employed over 300 young people from this area, and they will have to go home as I rebuild the supermarkets because some were left empty,” she said. 

“I also have more than 100 students that I support by sponsoring their education through the returns from the business, and I don’t know what I will do with them next term,” she said. 

“I am not a politician and have no interest in politics, and I don’t understand why I would be targeted unless it’s out of malice,” she added. 

According to James Waweru, the chairman Murang’a County Business forum, traders incurred losses amounting to Ksh0.5 billion during the Saba Saba protests. 

Waweru said the preliminary report indicates that the destruction was done by outsiders who had allegedly been hired by the local leaders. 

Waweru termed this as economic sabotage directed at the region, saying that specific businesses were being targeted. 

Stephene Chege, another business owner, said next time they won’t allow anything of the sort to happen. 

“We will guard our businesses because we can’t allow outsiders to come and ruin what we have struggled to build over the years,” said Chege. 

Independent probe 

In Meru, Magunas supermarket was set ablaze, reducing it to debris. The loss incurred is yet to be established. 

Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma and the county commissioner who went to inspect the damage caused said over 5000 jobs were lost.  

Kenya Seed Company Board chairperson Wangui Ngirichi said that protestors must respect the rights of others and their properties in as inasmuch as it gives them the right to hold demos. 

Ngirichi said that the violence and looting witnessed in Kirinyaga were costly to business owners, and its aftermath cannot be ignored. 

Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku criticised the destruction witnessed in Kitengela, Ngong and Kiserian during Monday’s demos.

“We are unhappy with what happened,” Ole Lenku said.