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Nairobi Business Community blames police for looting during protests

Nairobi Business Community Chairperson Wilfred Kamau (L) and Nairobi CBD Boda Boda Association Chair Dennis Achieng' (C) lead traders in a press briefing on July 3, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor/EV)

By Barack Oduor | Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Members of the Nairobi Business Community said their only option was to protect themselves, with Chairman Wilfred Kamau describing break-ins, thefts, and arson as despicable.

Business owners in Nairobi, one of the city centres where anti-government demonstrations have taken place for the last three weeks, have blamed the police for their losses, saying they failed to protect their businesses from looters.

The traders, members of the Nairobi Business Community, told a press briefing on Wednesday that their only option was to protect themselves, with Chairman Wilfred Kamau describing break-ins, thefts, and arson as despicable.

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"The police have not been helpful to us in any way. They have not arrested those conducting looting," Kamau said.

The traders said the protests, initially peaceful and with the Gen Z as the main participants, have been infiltrated by criminals who carry out illegal activities for even two hours and yet the police take no action.

They alleged that the thieves were being sponsored by politicians out to cause mayhem for selfish reasons.

"We do not believe the Gen Z had the intention of looting businesses when they called for protests against the government. Their noble action is being infiltrated by criminals," Kamau said.

Benedita Nyakega, whose shop was looted and razed, wondered why the criminals were yet to be apprehended and charged in court.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) released pictures of people it said were wanted for lawlessness during the protests against the Finance Bill of 2024 and President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government.

The Individuals whose images/photos appear below are wanted by the police for their unlawful activities during the anti-finance bill 2024 demonstrations. We therefore advise them to report to the nearest police station for further police action.

Information on the whereabouts of… pic.twitter.com/AD0bOh8VAg
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) July 3, 2024

Dennis Achieng', chair of the Nairobi Central Business District Boda Boda Association and a member of the business community, decried harassment by criminals taking advantage of the street protests.

"Even boda boda riders are getting harassed by criminals posing as protesters," he said.

President Ruto and security organs such as the DCI have promised action against criminals destroying government and civilian property during the protests.