By Jacqueline Kitamba
Protests marking the first anniversary of last year’s anti-finance bill demonstrations took place across various regions in Kenya on June 25, 2025, resulting in extensive damage and significant financial losses for numerous business owners in the CBD area.
What began as a peaceful gathering rapidly turned into clashes between the police and the protestors, leaving behind massive destruction in key parts of the capital, including the CBD area, Khoja, River Road, Ngara, and Moi Avenue, among others.
Thursday morning, as the smoke cleared, shop owners arrived at the scene of shattered glass, burned-up buildings, and looted stalls, a reminder of how fast one’s livelihood can be taken away.
Caroline, who owns a shop at Mithoo House, River Road, said her store was turned upside down by the looters who made away with everything, including the roof of her shop.
“I was called yesterday, and I almost fainted. Everything in my shop is gone, and I do not know where to start,” said Caroline.
She additionally urged Nairobi Governor Sakaja, along with the entire administration, to make an effort to assist them. Caroline stated that the police observed as their stores were being robbed and did nothing to intervene
She does not know where to start and is asking for her landlord to be lenient with her as she gathers herself. Caroline is one of the many small business owners who do not have insurance to cover such losses.
Over 100 businesses across the nation were seriously affected, many to the point of non-recognition. Most of these businesses were small traders and street vendors who had taken up loans and are now left with the burden to bear as they try to figure out the way forward.
“I have lost stock worth Sh3.2 million, and because of a lack of insurance, I do not think I will be able to reopen anytime soon,” said Watencia Muthoni, a shop owner at Gatakaini One, Khoja.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki evaluated the businesses the next morning, assuring business owners that the government will investigate the damage and those responsible will be held accountable.
“Peaceful protest is a constitutional right, but what we witnessed was criminals disguised as protestors. We are working with the security agencies to track down those responsible,” Kindiki said at a press briefing Thursday morning.
Business owners are seeking compensation to help with the rebuild. Economists in the country are also concerned with this trend of demonstrations turning to violence, and they fear the long-term effect it will have on small and medium enterprises (SME’s), which are the backbone of the country’s economy.
Business owners, aided by kind-hearted individuals, are tidying up while advocating for discussions and improved planning for future protests, aiming to guarantee that freedom of expression does not negatively impact people’s livelihoods. For entrepreneurs like Caroline and Muthoni, restoring and launching again relies on assistance and additional financing.