The New Sunbeam Shopping Complex on Mfangano Street, Nairobi was destroyed by fire during the anti-government protests on June 26, 2024.
When demonstrators took to the streets on June 25, 2024, to exercise their constitutional rights under Article 37 of the Constitution, Ms Grace Njeri believed the protests would be peaceful.
As usual, she opened her businesses along Mfangano Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District. She had just taken out a multimillion-shilling loan to start her shoe business, which had picked up well.
Encouraged by the growth, she opened another shop at the New Sunbeam Shopping Complex. Business was thriving, and she had high hopes of carving out a space in Nairobi’s competitive retail sector. In previous years, she had struggled in employment before making the bold decision to quit and venture into entrepreneurship.
The New Sunbeam Shopping Complex along Mfangano Street, Nairobi that was burnt down by looters on June 26, 2024.
“I had to take a bold step. I had a family to take care of but the salary was meagre. I took a loan and after consultation, began importing shoes,” she told the Daily Nation in an interview.
For the two years she ran the business, the returns were promising. She dreamed of expansion. But that dream was cut short on June 25 when she lost everything.
On that day, she and other traders decided to close their premises early.
Residents of Nairobi walk past the vandalised Medallion Steakhouse and Restaurant located at Development House along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi on June 26, 2024.
“The tension was high. After consulting with fellow business owners, we decided to lock the shops and monitor the situation carefully. The crowds kept growing, and by 12 pm we knew something was about to happen, so we left for our safety,” she said.
It was not until around 4 pm that videos of the Sunbeam Shopping Complex on fire began circulating online. Her stock, worth Sh700,000, was completely destroyed.
“It was difficult to get into town so we waited until the next morning and that is when we realised everything had been burned down,” she said.
Ms Njeri says her life was turned upside down by the protests, and she has never recovered.
“I do not want to talk about it because I’m still in pain. I have kids to take care of and bills to pay. I do not know if I’ll ever get back to where I was. Things have been rough and I’m now struggling to repay the loans by borrowing from a few friends who are willing to help,” the business lady said.
Ms Njeri remains angry that her businesses had nothing to do with the controversial finance bill that triggered the nationwide protests.
Despite the government’s promise to compensate affected individuals, she has yet to receive any support.
For Ms Jane Makau, who operates a clothing shop along Tom Mboya Street, the events of June 25 taught her some hard lessons. She says that even though she locked her shop, goons broke in using stones and made away with stock worth Sh500,000.
“I had two shops and the one they broke into was my second shop with lower stock. It managed to pick up again although it was difficult in the beginning,” she told Nation.
Following the protests, she says the business community adopted new strategies to protect themselves, including hiring private security and installing reinforced walls.
Supermarkets and shops along Tom Mboya Street, Ronald Ngala Street, City Hall Way and Kenyatta Avenue were hit especially hard. The Naivas supermarket on Ronald Ngala, Quickmart along Mfangano Street and Carrefour were all vandalised and looted during the protests last year.
A man walks past Carrefour Supermarket on Wabera Street in Nairobi June 26, 2024. The supermarket was among businesses that were looted during the anti-Finance Bill protests.
Uganda House which was also set ablaze, is still under renovation one year later. One shop on Wabera Street, known for selling expensive Italian suits, was also looted.
Many businesses that the Daily Nation spoke to decried the government's unfulfilled promise of compensation.
President William Ruto had assured that the government would collect data from affected traders to support recovery efforts.
“Over the last one month, the livelihoods and property of many innocent Kenyans have been destroyed, plunging them into destitution and jeopardising their independence. The Government of Kenya will take measures to support these Kenyans on their path to recovery. I have directed the relevant ministry to obtain, verify and take appropriate action within the next 13 days,” President Ruto said last year.
A man and a woman converse outside shops along Kenyatta Avenue that were looted during the anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi on June 26, 2024.
According to government spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura, the wave of demonstrations in June 2024 alone caused losses of approximately Sh6 billion.
“We cannot forget the businesspeople who suffered losses worth billions as their businesses remained closed. We empathise with them as they strive to recover their lost incomes. Overall, the country has lost approximately Sh6 billion as a result of the demonstrations, according to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA),” said Mr Mwaura.
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance says most of its members were severely affected. Some have not been able to resume their livelihoods and continue to count their losses.
Members of the public rummage through litter outside shops along Wabera Street in Nairobi following a looting spree during the anti-Finance Bill protests on June 26, 2024.
“Those who were affected are our members. Their livelihoods were destroyed in a matter of minutes. Some have never recovered. It is really worrying,” said Ms Carole Kariuki, Chief Executive Officer of Kepsa.
The lobby notes that the ongoing protests continue to affect the country’s economy and has called for resilience and stability.
“The business community has been actively working with the government and other stakeholders to create a conducive business environment both locally and internationally. As a result, Kenya has grown into an attractive destination for business and foreign investment. We must ensure these efforts are not undone, so that businesses do not shut down due to escalating emotions and public unrest,” read a statement from the alliance.
