Kirinyaga businessman explains how he lost millions during Saba Saba demos
Kirinyaga town businessman Charles Mkombozi is counting losses following the looting of his property during the Saba Saba demonstrations.
Mkombozi says that the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, came to his aid.
You might also like
“Hired goons invaded the property. They were very violent and managed to break in after arriving at around 9.00 am. They broke windows and doors before they engaged police in back-and-forth battles for about two hours,” Mkombozi narrated in an interview with a local TV station.
His premises, which host several businesses, including a hotel and a supermarket, were among the worst-hit in Kirinyaga County after enraged protesters stormed, forcing police to intervene using tear gas in a bid to disperse the unruly crowd.
The post from video footage details an incident when his premises were looted during the Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2025, with damages and losses amounting to over Ksh50 million.
The proprietor credited Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for intervening and saving his business from further destruction. This intervention is notable given the broader context of the protests, where police actions were criticized, including instances of violence and the presence of gangs disrupting peaceful demonstrations, as reported by the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
“If it weren’t for the Inspector General of Police, Nice Digital City would no longer exist—property worth over Ksh2 billion would have been reduced to dust,” he said.
The incident highlights the economic impact of political unrest in Kenya, with businesses suffering substantial financial losses. This event is part of a larger pattern of protest-related damages, as seen in previous years, where businesses have been caught in the crossfire of political demonstrations, affecting local economies and underscoring the challenges of maintaining order during such events.
The Saba Saba protests, marking the 35th anniversary of the 1990 demonstrations for multi-party democracy, saw significant violence and looting across Kenya, with at least 11 deaths reported nationwide, according to police.
