NAIROBI, Kenya, July 22 – Kenyan retailers incurred Sh2 billion in losses from recent protests that were led by youths demanding better governance.
This year’s losses were much bigger compared to last year’s demonstrations, the Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) CEO Wambui Mbarire told Capital FM during a morning interview show.
Most of the losses were through stock losses and infrastructure destruction, with Kiambu outlets suffering the most. Unlike last year, Kitengela retailers were less impacted.
“This year is probably 10 times worse because this year not only did we have demonstrations, but we also had looting and we had destruction. Pick any of the supermarkets that were hit, for example. The looters not only carried away stocks, they destroyed the structure,” Mbarire said.
“So, if last year I needed to stock, this year I need to put up the infrastructure and restock. We were looking at it yesterday, and we were saying if we are looking at the supermarket sector and a few of the other big retailers, we are at Sh2 billion for restoration in this year’s destruction,” she added.
Business activities across Kenya were severely disrupted in June and July due to youth-led protests commemorating Saba Saba Day as well as anti-Finance Bill 2024. Many shops, office buildings, and commercial premises were closed as business owners feared looting after previous demonstrations were infiltrated by criminal elements. Consumer traffic also dropped significantly, with customers avoiding these areas for fear of being caught in violent confrontations between protesters and anti-riot police.
But, business activities have now resumed to normalcy across the country, offering reprieve to thousands of businesses that were hit hard.
Mbarire, nonetheless, says that some businesses won’t be opening up in the next two to three months considering the huge losses incurred.
“Last year, we were able to come back faster because, again, as I said, it was mainly stock matter, and there was no destruction of properties…”
