Naivasha: Traders in Naivasha town are counting losses worth millions of shillings after their businesses were looted and ransacked by goons during Wednesday’s Gen Z protests. The protests started peacefully but turned chaotic in the evening paralyzing transport along the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway where the rioters lit bonfires to register their displeasure with the government.

According to Kenya News Agency, hundreds of youths had turned up in Naivasha town to commemorate the deaths of over 60 youths killed during last year’s Gen-Z anti-finance bill demonstrations before the situation turned chaotic after a section of residents purporting to be part of the demonstrations showed up with crude weapons. During the melee, a section of youths invaded and looted three major supermarkets and made away with goods worth millions of shillings as chaos rocked the town for the better part of the day.

Lakeview MCA Alex Mbugua condemned the destruction and looting of businesses alleging that the protests were infiltrated by goons whom he claimed were brought into the town to cause mayhem. Mbugua remarked that the goons who looted and vandalized Powerstar, Naivas, and Khetias supermarkets must have been ferried from elsewhere because the majority of the unruly gangs were strangers to the local community. He stated that it was only after the deployment of Kenya Defense Forces officers that the town, which was gradually turning into anarchy, settled back to normalcy.

The town, which heavily relies on its flower farm businesses, conferencing facilities, and hotels, experienced hours-long service disruptions and protests. Earlier, Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo warned that any person found looting and destroying people’s property would face the full wrath of the law. So far, Odongo said over 40 suspects have been arrested and would be charged with various criminal counts at the Naivasha Law Courts.

Peaceful Gen Z protesters disowned and distanced themselves from the chaos and destruction that later erupted in the town. Simon Wakaba, a local organizer of the protests, stated that they firmly distance themselves from the criminal acts of hired goons who looted shops and supermarkets, emphasizing that their criminal actions do not represent the voices of the peaceful protesters. During last year’s protest over the 2024 Finance Bill, Naivas supermarket was looted of goods worth millions while the area MP’s office was razed.