Supermarket and Club Burnt Down During Saba Saba Protests in Meru
Widespread protests during Saba Saba Day in Meru County turned chaotic, leading to major destruction and loss for local businesses.
A well-known supermarket was completely destroyed by fire after being attacked by protesters, who also targeted other establishments.
The supermarket, which is part of the Magunas chain, was stormed by a group of individuals believed to be criminals pretending to be protesters. These groups overpowered the anti-riot police stationed in the area and set the supermarket on fire, causing extensive damage.
According to reports received by Newshub.co.ke, these individuals went on a rampage on Monday, July 7, deliberately targeting businesses.
Apart from Magunas Supermarket, a famous entertainment spot in Meru Town called Seven Eleven Club was also vandalized. Witnesses say several items from the club were stolen during the incident.
The goons seemed to be focused on the Makutano area in Meru, where they gathered in large numbers, making it difficult for emergency responders and service providers to restore calm and offer help. Their activities severely disrupted efforts to bring the situation under control.
In a shocking turn of events, a fire truck dispatched by the Meru County Government to put out the fire at Magunas Supermarket was attacked with stones by the same crowd. The attack happened after the fire engine ran out of water and became ineffective.
Even humanitarian responders were not spared. A vehicle belonging to the Kenya Red Cross, which had been sent to the area to provide medical assistance to the injured, was also damaged during the chaos.
The destruction of Magunas Supermarket is being described as the most serious attack on a business during Monday’s protests. However, it was not the only incident, as similar cases of looting and vandalism were reported in other parts of the country.
In Kirinyaga County, the owners of Nice Supermarket suffered losses after protesters shattered their display windows with large stones. Meanwhile, in Nakuru County, protesters broke into another supermarket. Fortunately, in that case, the police arrived in time and stopped the theft before it escalated.
In the capital city, Nairobi, police had a stronger presence in the Central Business District (CBD) and nearby areas. Thanks to the heavy deployment of security forces, there were fewer reports of looting and vandalism in these regions.
However, the situation was more tense in places like Kitengela, where protests quickly turned violent. Demonstrators blocked roads, clashed with police, and targeted several businesses in the area, leading to scenes of unrest and destruction.
The unrest seen across various counties during the Saba Saba Day protests has raised serious concerns among business owners, security forces, and the public at large, with calls for more peaceful means of expression and better protection for businesses and service providers.
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