Cooperative Bank ATM Machine Looted During Protests

The June 25, 2025, protests—intended as peaceful Gen Z-led commemorations of the deadly 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations—quickly descended into chaos and destruction in various parts of Kenya.

One of the most shocking incidents occurred in Githurai 45, on the outskirts of Nairobi, where a Cooperative Bank ATM was looted in broad daylight. The brazen heist, caught on camera and widely circulated across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, has since become a symbol of the lawlessness that briefly took hold during the protests.

According to eyewitness reports and footage, a group of youths forcefully dismantled the ATM’s casing, eventually accessing and stealing an estimated KSh 1.2 million. The video shows the looters operating with alarming ease and little fear of police intervention, suggesting either a lack of preparedness by security agencies or an overstretched response force unable to keep up with the scope of the unrest.

The incident in Githurai wasn’t isolated. Across Nairobi and in towns like Nyeri, Meru, and Nakuru, businesses—including supermarkets, petrol stations, and electronics shops—were vandalized and looted. Naivas Supermarket in Nyeri and several shops in Nairobi’s CBD were among the most visibly affected. While many Kenyans took to the streets to protest peacefully, opportunistic criminals hijacked the moment, turning legitimate civil action into a platform for destruction.

The broader protests, organized by Kenya’s youth to mark one year since the 2024 demonstrations, were initially intended to honor victims of state violence and speak out against police brutality, economic injustice, and government corruption.

However, what started with symbolic placards and peaceful chants eventually spiraled into violent clashes with police, widespread looting, and tragic loss of life—at least 16 people were killed and hundreds injured in confrontations with security forces.

For Githurai residents, the looting of the Cooperative Bank ATM wasn’t just a criminal act—it was a blow to an already strained community. Many residents rely on that ATM for daily banking services, and its destruction has disrupted access to cash and banking functions for days. Local businesses also reported a drop in sales, with consumers wary of venturing into commercial areas that had been affected by the chaos.

In the aftermath, Cooperative Bank is assessing the financial loss and damage to the ATM infrastructure. Police have launched investigations into the theft, though no suspects have yet been arrested.

Meanwhile, residents have called for improved security measures, particularly around key public infrastructure during times of civil unrest. Some have proposed closer collaboration between law enforcement and community policing groups to help maintain order and prevent future incidents.

Read:Deadly Protests: At Least 16 Killed During June 25 Gen Z-Led Protests in Kenya