Thika traders say protestors looted their businesses

Traders in Thika are counting losses after their businesses were looted following protests on Monday against the hiking of levies by the Kiambu County government.

Criminal gangs reportedly took advantage of the demonstrations to rob unsuspecting residents and motorists of property as the town came to a standstill.

Business premises were hurriedly closed as the protesters chanting slogans against Governor William Kabogo turned to molesters and looted mobile phone shops, supermarkets, bars and even eateries.

At the Thika bus park the demonstrators grabbed all sorts of items including fruits as they marched through the town before being addressed by area MP Alice Ng’ang’a.

Peter Njoroge who operates a nyama choma kiosk at the main bus stage had his meat, and utensils stolen by the gang.

JOURNALIST BEATEN

Thika-based journalist James Wakahiu was beaten up and his camera memory card taken away by a protester as he took pictures of the unfolding scenario.

Earlier, the traders blocked Thika superhighway for hours and paralysed business at Thika Town Hall to protest the hiking of their license fees and rates by over 100 per cent.

Ms Ng’ang’a who joined the group expressed her support and urged them not to pay the new rates approved by the county assembly in December, 2013.

She accused the county assembly of passing the controversial finance bill that had been earlier rejected without consulting the people.

The protesters denounced Governor Kabogo accusing his government of being oppressive to its people.

An attempt by Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi to bring the traders to the negotiating table backfired when they shouted him down.

The traders mainly from Madaraka and Jamuhuri markets said a bag of farm produce initially charged Sh20 was now being charged Sh40.

A lorry ferrying produce into the market was being charged Sh1,000 up from Sh500.

An empty lorry that was previously being charged Sh60 will now be charged Sh100 per entry.

UNREASONABLE INCREASE

Cyber cafes which were paying Sh4,000 a month are now required to pay Sh15,000, an increase they said was unreasonable and likely to push them out of business.

Ms Ng’ang’a accused the county government of spending huge resources on personal emoluments and beautifying the governor's offices while Thika town was reeling under mounts of garbage.

However, the sub-county administrator John Mutie dismissed the claims saying the issue had been politicised by people who have differences with the governor.

“It appears there is serious incitement from some quarters so that the county government may appear to be working against its people,” the official told reporters.

Mr Mutie said the traders' representatives had been invited for discussions on the matter but failed to turn up.