Nairobi Traders Count Millions in Losses In Post-Protest Mayhem
What was meant to be a peaceful remembrance of the deadly 2024 Finance Bill protests turned into a nightmare for traders across Kenya on June 25, 2025. As Gen Z-led demonstrators took to the streets to mark the first anniversary of last year’s historic protests, looters hijacked the movement, leading to widespread destruction, theft, and financial losses—particularly in Nairobi’s central business district and several other towns across the country.
In Nairobi, the scenes were especially grim. Areas around Moi Avenue, the Bus Station, the OTC roundabout, and Kimathi Street bore the brunt of the chaos. Windows were smashed, shops ransacked, and goods looted as business owners watched helplessly. Among the most visible signs of destruction was the burning of the Moonstar Hotel at the OTC roundabout, which sent thick smoke billowing over the city skyline the following morning. Retail outlets such as Quickmart were broken into, and electronics shops lost goods worth hundreds of thousands of shillings.
One of the most affected victims was Yvonne Otieno, a boutique owner near the Bus Station, who had taken a KSh 1 million loan to restock her business. She returned the next morning to find her shop empty—everything looted. “This was my everything,” she told reporters, estimating her total loss at nearly KSh 2 million. Dozens of other traders across the city shared similar stories of devastation and despair.
The destruction wasn’t limited to the capital. In Nyeri, looters broke into a Naivas supermarket; in Nakuru, a petrol station was stormed; and in Meru, supermarkets were pillaged. Across 27 counties, shops were shut down as a precaution, either out of fear or solidarity, resulting in massive disruptions to transport and commerce.
Economic losses from the looting and closures are staggering. Nairobi’s informal traders, including those in the thriving second-hand clothes (mitumba) sector, missed out on an estimated KSh 33.3 million in daily income.
Matatu operators, another vital part of the economy, reportedly lost up to 50% of their daily revenue, translating into sector-wide losses estimated at KSh 150 million. These disruptions affect not just business owners but also hundreds of thousands of workers and families dependent on the informal sector.
Analysts warn that the situation could trigger a deeper economic crisis if not addressed quickly. Small businesses that rely on daily margins are now facing loan defaults, evictions, and possible collapse. Many of them operate without insurance or a formal financial cushion and are now calling for urgent government intervention to support recovery.
Civil society groups have condemned the looting but also pointed to the need for structured engagement between protest organizers, authorities, and traders. Suggestions include establishing compensation funds for affected businesses, offering low-interest recovery loans, enhancing security during known protest anniversaries, and fostering peaceful dialogue channels.
While calm had returned to most affected areas by the morning of June 27, the scars from the chaos remain fresh. Rebuilding will take time, resources, and trust—all of which have been shaken by the events of the past week.
In the end, what started as a tribute to young lives lost has turned into another tragedy—this time economic. For Kenya’s traders, the fight is now not only for justice but also for survival in the face of uncertainty and repeated cycles of unrest.
