Naivasha: The Business Community in Naivasha has resolved to partner with local security agencies to safeguard their enterprises and confront individuals involved in looting and vandalism during demonstrations. The traders pledged to identify and take action against those behind the recent violent demonstrations, which have left three people dead, dozens injured, and property worth millions of shillings either looted or destroyed.
According to Kenya News Agency, scores of traders, who had shut their businesses, gathered in the central business district, declaring that they had reached their limit following the latest protests that led to bloodshed and destruction. During the last three demonstrations, looters targeted three supermarkets, numerous hotels, and other establishments, resulting in substantial financial losses and job cuts.
In a joint communiqu© led by their secretary, David Njuguna, the traders vowed never again to tolerate violent protests in the town. Njuguna stated that the town had suffered losses amounting to millions of shillings, with some traders forced to shut down operations due to the extent of the looting. He said the community, through a coordinated engagement, resolved that they will never again allow violent demonstrators in the lakeside town, noting that the incidents risk impoverishing them after years of growth.
His sentiments were echoed by the community chairman, Evans Chege, who affirmed that the traders would cooperate with police to apprehend goons who have been infiltrating peaceful demonstrations. Chege said that in partnership with security agencies, they will pursue individuals who carted away with looted goods worth millions of shillings while vowing to stop the lighting of bonfires and blockage of roads.
Local businesswoman Eunice Njambi said women have borne the brunt of the ongoing chaos, noting that recent incidents showed that certain traders appeared to be deliberately targeted by the goons. Addressing the meeting, Njambi said they will collaborate with bodaboda and others to guard their livelihoods and stop the mayhem that risks bankrupting them through ongoing vandalism and destruction of premises.
Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja welcomed peaceful demonstrations, noting that moving forward, there would be no road blockades using bonfires or stones among protesters. "We will collaborate with local security personnel to ensure that there are laid-down procedures for planned demonstrations within the town business district that are strictly adhered to," said Karanja.
During Monday's demonstration, Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo ensured all government offices were securely protected from destruction, noting that prior intelligence had indicated such attacks. The past demonstrations have hugely paralysed transport along the busy Nakuru-Nairobi Highway as well as travel to economically dependent sectors such as flower farmers, where thousands of workers are employed.
Since the Monday protests marking Saba Saba Day, over 60 individuals have been arrested by police and charged with various counts of destruction and looting of property at the Naivasha Law Courts.