Marsabit businesses incur huge losses following protests
The employees of Friends Corner Pub on January 14, 2018 inspect one of the freezers used to store fish. The freezer and other items in the pub were destroyed by protesters on January 13, 2018. PHOTO | IRENE MWENDWA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Youth protested against the arrest of a sheikh on Saturday.
- They turned rowdy and looted shops and pubs, burnt property and destroyed bank buildings and churches.
Businesspeople in Marsabit are counting losses following the riots and destruction of property on Saturday.
Speaking to the Nation on Sunday, the owner of the Roots Pub, Mercy Muthoni, said she had lost more than Sh900,000 after protesters broke into her business.
LOOTED
Ms Muthoni said she had been watching the riots from the road when the protesters came towards them and she ran into a nearby shop.
"I heard them ask where the owner of the pub was so I hid and watched as they destroyed everything I had," she said.
Ms Rose Okello said she lost up to Sh300,000 when the protesters looted her fish kiosk, making away with all the money she had in her shop.
She was also injured on her leg.
"Our gates were locked and they climbed up the walls to the Friends Corner Pub where I also operate a fish kiosk," said Ms Okello.
Mountain and Palepale pubs were also looted and their property destroyed.
LOSSES
Speaking on behalf of the Marsabit Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairperson Javob Godana said that property worth millions of shillings were looted and destroyed.
He said it is regrettable that three people were killed in the protests.
"We beseech the security personnel to be on top of things. We equally call upon the people of Marsabit to stay calm and desist from taking the law into their own hands," said Mr Godana.
The protesters also destroyed property at the Cooperative and KCB bank buildings, the County Assembly building and the Catholic Church.
