Police in Naivasha have arrested over 130 youths for looting and destruction of properties worth millions of shillings during Tuesday’s anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests that rocked the town.
During the day-long protest that was majorly peaceful but turned chaotic in the evening hours, hundreds of youths invaded and ransacked the constituency office and Naivas supermarket before making off with properties worth millions of shillings.
According to Naivasha OCPD Stephen Kirui, local police officers had been marshalled to provide security during the protest which was later invaded by hardcore criminals from nearby informal settlements causing damage to buildings and looting everything.
“Our police officers responded to the incident, arrested the looters and foiled further destruction of properties by criminal elements,” he said.
Kirui noted that business operations have resumed after hundreds of police officers were deployed to contain criminals that may cause mayhem and destruction ahead of tomorrow’s planned protests.
In addition, the OCPD said officers have launched a manhunt for criminals who caused havoc, with positive recoveries of stolen items from nearby informal settlements of Kihoto and Karagita.
“All criminal elements who camouflaged as peaceful protestors have since been arrested and are being processed before being charged in court with various charges,” said Kirui.
When the KNA team visited the ransacked Naivas supermarket in Naivasha Town, the gravity of the looting and destruction that occurred during the protest aftermath laid bare.
A proprietor of a business that was burned and destroyed by charged youths Edith Wanjiru said she has suffered great damages and losses worth millions of shillings.
The devastated Wanjiru said her premise was targeted because she had rented part of it to area Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara whom the rowdy youths accused of supporting and voting for the controversial Finance Bill.
She said the youths ransacked all her forty rental rooms, and CDF offices, and burnt a nearby car while looting away valuables including electronics and beddings.
“I am seeking government compensation for I have invested all my earnings in this premises which have now been destroyed just because a section has been rented by area MP, Jayne Kihara,” said Wanjiru.
According to Michael Mbugua, a local youth who participated in the protest, the demonstration turned chaotic in the evening hours when goons started looting and destroying properties.
Mbugua termed it unfortunate that the hundreds of youths who worked at the now destroyed businesses risked losing their jobs and livelihoods due to the incident.
The protests that rocked most parts of the country have seen more than ten youths killed and tens of others injured with a section invading the country’s Parliament after members of the National Assembly passed the bill.
The now-passed Finance Bill 2024 has attracted the wrath of youthful protesters nicknamed Gen Zees who have called for its total rejection for imposing extra taxes on the masses.
The bill seeks to introduce extra tax measures that would help raise an additional Sh346 billion to fund the government budgetary estimated revenue of Sh3.4 trillion through the 2024/25 financial year.
By Erastus Gichohi and Mabel Keya
