Mwea man who looted popular supermarket during Gen Z protests apologises to owner

A Mwea man, Denis Kinyua Muriuki, has sought forgiveness months after he and other youths looted a popular supermarket in the area on July 7, 2025, during the Gen Z-led Saba Saba demonstrations.

Speaking to the press after visiting the supermarket’s owner on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Muriuki detailed his involvement in the looting and explained the purpose of the visit, which was to apologise and make amends.

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Muriuki admitted that he was among the group of youths who took almost everything from the supermarket, including cooking oils, rice, goats, and chickens.

“My name is Denis Kinyua Muriuki, and we are here at Nice Digital City. Back in July 2025, during the Saba Saba Gen Z protests, I was among the people who looted this supermarket. Almost everything was taken, including cooking oils, rice, goats, and chickens,” he said.

He explained that the visit was driven by remorse and that he and his peers had come together to ask forgiveness from the owner.

He emphasised that they considered the owner as a father figure and that they had pledged never to engage in such acts again.

During the visit, the group was welcomed by the owner, who offered them meals and small gifts, which Muriuki said reflected the owner’s generosity and goodwill.

“Now, we have come to seek forgiveness from the owner for our actions. We, as Gen Z, have vowed never to repeat this and consider the owner like a father. He welcomed us warmly, offered us meals, and gave us some goodies,” he said.

The Mwea man also addressed the pending court case arising from the looting, confirming that the legal matter remained unresolved.

He described the visit as a necessary step in taking responsibility for his actions and reconciling with the supermarket owner, acknowledging the impact their conduct had on the business.

“We also have a court case related to the looting, which is why we felt it was important to make amends,” he added.

Supermarket owners’ versions of the story

In the same presser, the supermarket owner, Njiru Mkombozi, reflected on his journey from starting his business with only Ksh5,000 to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

He highlighted that some of the youths who participated in the looting were individuals he had previously helped and emphasised the importance of offering guidance and second chances.

Mkombozi confirmed that he had forgiven the youths for their actions, explaining that he believes in mentoring young people and helping them learn from their mistakes.

“I started my business with only Ksh5,000, and today it has grown successfully. Some of the youths who looted my supermarket are people I have helped over the years. They came to ask for forgiveness, and I have forgiven them because they are young, and I believe in guiding the next generation. I welcomed them, offered them meals, and even gave them some goodies during their visit. This act of reconciliation is important, and I hope it serves as a lesson that accountability and learning from mistakes can help young people grow responsibly,” Mkombozi said.