The Kenyan business community is reeling and counting losses in major cities following a full day of protests organized by the opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Raila had announced weeks ago that he the 20th of March 2023 would be a national holiday as they match to the statehouse to protest against the sitting government.
Mr. Odinga noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration is to blame for the high cost of living that is currently experienced in the country.
Heeding to Odinga’s call for demonstrations, hundreds of Azimio La Umoja supporters filled the streets with banners and anti-government chants. However, they were met with the full force of government as police officers rained tear gas ganisters on them.
As expected, today’s chaos would bring businesses to a standstill. Many business owners opted not to open their businesses for fear of vandalism, theft and robbery; while vehicle owners kept off the street so as not to be caught in the middle of the fracas.
The protests were felt heavily in Kisumu and Nairobi, the strongholds of the opposition leader Raila Odinga. It is in these towns that most businesses witnessed losses.
In a period of uncertainty, inflation, and dwindling currency, businesses cannot afford a day without business. After a weekend, small businesses would expected to start the week well; but that was not to be.
Speaking from Mombasa, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said that businesses have lost up to KES 2 Billion due to the demonstrations. He said that the government will continue providing security to peace loving Kenyans and will not allow rogue individuals to disturb the peace.
He urged Mr Odinga to call off the protests saying they were rolling back the gains that the country had made in terms of economic recovery.
The President Dr. William Ruto said that his government was busy giving farmers farm inputs including fertilizer in preparation for the rainy season, and does not want other problems in the form of protests.
