Businesses in Kenya hold their breath as the country plans to recall a painful memory
Businesses in Nairobi have temporarily closed due to potential vandalism during the protest anniversary.
The protest commemorates the anti-bill demonstrations of June 2024, which saw widespread youth participation.
These demonstrations were against the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed higher taxes on essential goods and services.
Currently, young Kenyans have taken to the streets to keep alive the memory of a protest that shook the country to its core.
As a result, businesses in Nairobi, the country's capital, have opted to play it safe and close for the day, fearing any potential damage.
This is despite the fact that the police seemed to have increased security in the business district of the commercial hub.
Tuko reports that although the protest has been presented as a peaceful demonstration and a call to stop police violence by its organizers, business owners have shown concern and opted to shut down momentarily, till things cool off.
Damages to businesses in Kenya during the anti-bill protest
Kenyans went to the streets in 2024 to protest a contentious finance bill, resulting in one of the country's largest youth-led rallies in recent memory.
This demonstration, while well-intended, led to the destruction of some local businesses.
Simon, a business owner in Nairobi, was among the hardest hit, having seen years of hard work go up in smoke. Simon operated a bookshop in the central business area, and noted that he had lost books valued at over KSh1 million.
After the smoke had cleared, the Nairobi Youth Business Community revealed that losses of up to KSh 3 billion were incurred due to looting and vandalism.
This report was contrary to what the president of the country, William Ruto, had issued, when he disclosed during a round table session that the protest had cost businesses up to KSh 2.4 billion in damages.
Kenya's protest of 2024
In June 2024, the Kenyan government introduced the Finance Bill 2024, which, among other things, proposed higher taxes on essentials, like bread, fuel, financial services, and even internet data, to help finance public debt.
Young Kenyans, especially Gen Z, quickly took to social media platforms such as TikTok, X, WhatsApp, and Instagram using hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024, #OccupyParliament, and #RutoMustGo to organize nationwide demonstrations.
Online mobilization escalated to street demonstrations, and mid-way into June, thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to air their greviances.
A couple of days after the protests began security forces opened fire, killing at least one protester, and igniting what was later dubbed the 'Seven Days of Rage'
Later on thousands stormed the Parliament building in Nairobi, ransacked it, set parts on fire, and stole the ceremonial mace.
Police responded with live ammunition, killing between 19 to over 60 people, and injuring hundreds more. Over 130 protestors were arrested.
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