Kitengela businesses take stock of losses suffered in Tuesday demos

It’s Monday morning – nearly one week after Tuesday demos rocked the heart of Kitengela town.

It’s largely quiet in this dusty Kajiado town – and everything is normal. Many businesses are opened for the day – but many others remain closed.

A Pizaa joint, a petrol station, a bakery, a range of wines and spirits joints, mobile money transfer shops, hotels and restaurants remain closed.

On one side, the charred remains of bread truck that was set on fire is still standing on the side of the road – counting days.

Smashed windows of buildings that once housed booming businesses only tell part of the sad story.

Some business owners told Wananchi Reporting that they are just now starting to collect whatever remained of their business lives.

“As business people in Kitengela, we have suffered greatly. These riots have slammed the brakes on the development of the town,” said one of the affected business owners who only identified himself as John.

John says he suffered loss running into millions.

Kitengela has emerged as one of the fast growing towns in Kenya – attracting businesses, job seekers and even families since 2016.

“Many families, businesses moved to this town because it’s quiet, and welcoming. Unfortunately, these events could change this view,” said John.

He adds: “We have suffered losses running into millions of shillings as people stole and destroyed property. It is worrying that man can turn against fellow man in this manner.”

The business people in the area now claim that some of the looters may have come from other neighboring towns.

The residents are now praying and calling for tolerance.

Meanwhile, a number of business owners are still scratching their heads as they try to think of ways to raise money to restore their business. Others have no idea where to start.

Kitengela, a town within Kajiado county, is located some 30 kilometres from Nairobi city.