Kirinyaga: Tension as Protesters Loot Nice Digital City Hotel Amid Saba Saba Protests
- Saba Saba protests turned chaotic in Kirinyaga as youths lit bonfires and disrupted transport across various regions
- Business facilities owned by a renowned entrepreneur in Mwea were looted and vandalised during the unrest
- Footage showed police struggling to control the situation, with a witness suggesting political instigation behind the violence
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Kenyans across various counties including, Kirinyaga, have taken to the streets on Monday, July 7, to mark the 35th Saba Saba Day—a historic date commemorating the country’s pro-democracy movement.
Source: Twitter
While initially a day of remembrance, the occasion quickly turned into widespread demonstrations, with citizens voicing frustration over economic hardships, governance concerns, and unmet constitutional reforms.
In Nairobi, major roads leading to the Central Business District (CBD) were barricaded by police, forcing many commuters to either walk long distances or remain home.
Mounted police patrolled key intersections as most businesses stayed closed in anticipation of possible unrest.
What happened in Kirinyaga during Saba Saba protests?
In Ngurubani Town in Mwea, the protests intensified as youths lit bonfires, halting transport and disrupting normal activity.
The demonstrators said the fires were symbolic, paying tribute to those who lost their lives during recent anti-government protests, particularly over the controversial 2024 Finance Bill.
However, amid the demonstrations, reports emerged of looting at the Nice Digital City Hotel in Mwea, situated along the Meru–Nairobi Highway.
Footage shared showed chaotic scenes, with police struggling to contain the protesters. The officers were forced to fire tear gas during the confrontation to disperse the youth who had barricaded the entrance of the hotel.
Authorities continued to monitor the situation, as calls grew for peaceful demonstrations and accountability over the destruction of private property.
The aftermath revealed extensive damage to the properties, including broken windows and vandalised interiors.
A protected witness, speaking anonymously, described the situation as severe and hinted at possible political motivation behind the unrest.
By the time of publication, the owner of the affected premises had not confirmed the full extent of the damage.
Kenyans condemn looting of Nice Digital City Hotel
Joseph Were
"They have just rendered someone jobless. A local family has been denied long-term daily bread in the name of useless national politics, not even local."
Milly Mash Karanja
"Why are they damaging people's property? Why?"
Timothy Wachira
"Everybody is breaking the law today... including the police for blocking the roads to Nairobi."
Mutwiri Munene Kelvin
"Now this is what pains me. Why destroy another person's property?"
Pst Ogumbe Denish
"So this is what the organisers of maandamano like! While clueless about where Kenya is headed, they are busy calling for it while business owners are suffering. This is painful and unacceptable.."
Which other businesses were looted, vandalised?
Several business establishments across the country are counting losses after being invaded by goons who looted and vandalised premises with reckless abandon.
Supermarkets were the most targeted establishments, with two looted and one burnt down.
County supermarket in Kabati, Kirinyaga county, was the first to be vandalised by goons who made off with goods worth millions of shillings.
Most of the goons who stormed the establishment were captured on camera breaking in and storming out carrying a variety of goods on their shoulders.
In Nakuru, the West End supermarket faced a similar fate after being vandalised by thugs disguised as protesters.
Muganas supermarket in Meru was reduced to ashes after being vandalised and looted by a group of armed goons.
Retail businesses dealing in electronics and food items were also looted during the protests.
However, the police managed to secure most shops and business establishments in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) after changing strategy by blocking rioters from accessing the CBD, unlike in the previous protests.
4 people shot dead in Nairobi
Meanwhile, four people were shot dead in Kangemi and Ngong as demonstrations intensified across the country.
In Kangemi, a witness claimed that one of the victims was a passerby with no involvement in the ongoing protests.
The shootings sparked widespread public outcry, with some Kenyans calling on Gen Z to halt the demonstrations in a bid to restore peace and stability in the country.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this story with details on business establishments that were looted and vandalised.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
