'Protests are dwindling our business fortunes' - Traders
Loss. Courtesy photo
The on-and-off Gen Z-led protests in Nairobi have significantly affected businesses, causing disruption and financial losses, traders have revealed.
Vendors who spoke to AVDelta News said when demonstrations are on, there is decreased foot traffic of possible clients and increased security concerns, highlighting the broader economic consequences of youth-led demonstrations in Nairobi.
Most traders are forced to close their shops due to the all-day demonstrations.
However, some point an accusing finger at the police for excessive use of force on unarmed protesters who only sought protection, not tear gas.
At Mfangano Street in Nairobi, we meet the Chairman of the Nairobi Book Vendors Association, Samuel Nyakeri.
Mr Nyakeri who has two stalls along the street, has employed two assistants.
He explains that the Gen Z protests have greatly affected him.
As a father and family man, he says he is really struggling even as he figures out how he will pay house rent for the month of August due to losses incurred at his business during the protests.
"Most of us live in rented accommodations where rent is due by the 10th of every month. For the past three weeks, I've been unable to open my business every Tuesday and Thursday due to the protests," said Mr Nyakeri.
On a normal good day before protests, he says he used to sell books worth Sh6,000.
When business is down on a normal day, he makes less than Sh3,000.
However, protests made the situation to be worse. His main concern as a businessman is how some looters disguised as protesters, destroy property and cart away with goods.
"There is a time I found my stands stolen, but luckily, I found them behind National Bank branch office," he added.
Mr Nyakeri reveals that his colleagues were also affected, with some books burning due to tear gas canisters thrown at their stalls.
Mr Oscar Juma, a small-scale trader who owns a shop along Moi Avenue, was also forced to close his shop for safety reasons.
"I do not sell anything during the protests. Demonstrations always start along this road. I could not leave my shop open because tear gas was being thrown anyhow. My safety was my priority," said Mr Juma.
The Gen Z protesters started by demanding that President William Ruto rejects the Finance Bill 2024, a call to which the head of state bore pressure to.
Dr Ruto would later fire his Cabinet ministers (CSs) except for Musalia Mudavadi.
He also cut off the Office of the First Lady, expenditure budget of spouse of the Deputy President and that of the spouse to the Prime Cabinet CS.
The protests gained momentum through social media platforms where activists organized and mobilized large crowds to the streets.
The president gave in to some of their demands and even went to the extent of calling for a dialogue with the Kenyan Gen Zs.
At first the Gen Z protests were peaceful but things escalated when goons joined the protests, some stealing and destroying properties. This forced some of the business owners to hire people so as to guard their businesses.
