Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has pledged county support for traders whose businesses were vandalised and looted during the recent protests over rising fuel prices that turned chaotic in Murang’a town.
He said the county government will draw from its emergency fund to offer compensation to some of the business owners, who suffered losses after suspected goons infiltrated the demonstrations and destroyed property.
The governor spoke after visiting the affected traders.
“We have never seen demonstrations in Murang’a where people destroy private businesses because Murang’a people believe in enterprise and respect business. What we shall give may not fully compensate the traders but it is our way of saying sorry,” he said.
The governor said at least five traders have registered complaints, adding that the compensation process will involve the area MCA and town management officials to ensure the affected victims are verified before any payments are made.
His remarks came days after protests over the rising cost of fuel and the high cost of living degenerated into running battles and destruction within Murang’a town.
Businesses were broken into, food stolen and electronic shops vandalised as traders helplessly watched groups of rowdy youth loot premises in broad daylight.
Several traders accused criminal elements of hijacking what had initially started as peaceful demonstrations before turning violent.
Gladys Wanjiru, a trader in Murang’a town clearing debris after her business was vandalized during the protests/ ALICE WAITHERACCTV footage from some businesses is now part of investigations being conducted by authorities as leaders seek to identify those behind the chaos.
Kang’ata said preliminary reports suggested many of those involved in the destruction were unfamiliar faces within the town.
He said some residents reported hearing the suspects asking for directions around Murang’a town during the protests, raising suspicion that outsiders may have been involved.
The governor said the destruction was a major setback for a town the county has been investing heavily in through road works, cabro installation and improvement of public infrastructure.
According to him, the violence risked damaging Murang’a’s image as a growing business hub within the region.
Among the traders left counting losses is Joy Wangui, the owner of Joycom phone shop that was vandalised and mobile phones stolen.
She said the looting left her devastated and uncertain about how to rebuild her business noting she had invested heavily in the shop using a bank loan and now fears the losses could push her into financial ruin.
“I was self-employed but now everything is gone. I still have a huge loan to service and honestly, I do not know how I will recover but we are hoping what the governor promised will help us stand again.”
She appealed for future protests to remain peaceful, saying ordinary traders should not suffer whenever demonstrations are called over national issues.
One of the shops that were vandalised during protests over fuel prices in Murang’a town /ALICE WAITHERAMurang’a Township MCA Charles Machigo also blamed criminals for infiltrating the demonstrations and turning them violent.
He said investigations indicate the individuals involved in looting and vandalism were not familiar faces within the town.
“These were criminals who joined genuine protesters and started looting people’s property. Even from the CCTV footage, many appear not to be residents here and we must ensure such incidents never happen again in Murang’a,” Machigo said.
The MCA said local leaders are now working with security agencies and residents to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering ahead of any future demonstrations.
He said the town must protect businesses from criminal gangs that take advantage of protests to cause destruction.
Several other businesses selling mutura, samosas and chicken were also attacked. Outside a popular club, the youths reportedly found a chef preparing grilled chicken, ate the food and escaped with live chickens.
Residents had earlier vowed to protect their businesses from vandals during future protests saying the youths who vandalised businesses and attacked police officers with stones had come to the town with the sole intention of looting.
County commissioner Hassan Bule confirmed that 17 individuals had been arrested during the protests and would help with investigations.
