Kisumu’s Ksh1.5B Loss in 3-Day Azimio Protests
The Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry [KNCCI] announced on July 26 that Kisumu County lost Ksh 1.5 billion during the Azimio Coalition’s three-day anti-government protests.
Chairman of the KNCCI, Israel Agina, disclosed that this significant loss was primarily attributable to the regrettable incidents of shop looting, property damage, and the financial burden borne by merchants who were forced to close their businesses during the demonstrations.
“We lost business for over a week, not just three days. As you are aware, Kisumu is a transportation corridor through which a great deal of goods transit.
Mr. Angina asserted that Kisumu is also a consumer of imported products.
In addition, the chairman issued a warning regarding the potential repercussions of the ongoing protests.
He emphasized that if these disturbances are not effectively controlled, potential investors and tourists will be discouraged from visiting the city on the lake.
Traders in Kisumu have also voiced their displeasure with the political climate in the country, claiming that the demonstrations are impeding economic growth.
Ambrose Namukuba, a boda boda driver, expressed regret over the significant losses he has sustained as a result of the disturbances in an interview with GossipA2Z.
In addition to the financial impact, he mentioned that he had to endure physical abuse from protestors during the demonstrations.
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“I do not endorse the protests in any way. During the three days of demonstrations, I worked only two days, one of which was a partial day. Mr. Namukuba stated that young men who were interacting with police nearly stoned him on Thursday.
Ambrose urged Opposition Leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto to abandon their extremist viewpoints and engage in dialogue to prevent the country’s descent into anarchy.
“All I can say to Raila is that 2027 is approaching quickly. We will vote for him again if he waits patiently. We will not know whether he wins or loses until 2027. But the protests are costing us, his voters, a great deal,” he said.
On Wednesday, July 26, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o reported that more than one hundred Kisumu residents were injured and eight were slain during anti-government demonstrations.
As a result, the Kisumu County Government decided to waive the medical and funeral expenses of all protest victims to assist their families during these trying times.
Not only individuals have paid the price. Infrastructure throughout the nation has also been severely damaged.
Kipchumba Murkomen, cabinet secretary for transport, disclosed that the government will have to spend more than Ksh 200 million to restore damaged roads in Kisumu.
Kisumu’s Ksh1.5B Loss in 3-Day Azimio Protests
