In response to the widespread damage caused during last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations and the June 25 protests this year, the government has announced a series of measures aimed at helping small business owners recover.
These efforts are focused on restoring the economic strength of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that were affected by looting and destruction.
On Thursday, June 26, Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni from the State Department for MSMEs issued a statement outlining a detailed seven-point plan to support and rebuild the MSME sector.
One of the first steps the government plans to take is setting up a rapid response team to conduct an on-the-ground assessment.
This team will collect data on all the businesses that were damaged or looted. In addition, the government will speed up the process of renewing business permits and licenses for the affected traders to help them resume operations as quickly as possible.
The government is also working closely with insurance companies to fast-track claims for businesses that had coverage. At the same time, they will launch a campaign to educate business owners on the importance of getting insurance to protect against future risks.
For those whose premises were destroyed or rendered unsafe, the government will partner with county governments to offer temporary business relocation support. This assistance will help small business owners find alternative spaces to operate while rebuilding.
Another key part of the plan is the proposal to create a dedicated riot risk response mechanism. According to PS Mang’eni, this system would help deal with similar crises in the future, especially those caused by political unrest or climate-related disasters.
She noted that such a response would provide structured support and faster recovery for vulnerable businesses during times of emergency.
To protect business earnings, the government also plans to encourage MSMEs to adopt digital payment systems. This shift from cash transactions to digital ones would help reduce the risk of theft, especially during chaotic situations like protests, where looters often target businesses for cash.
Additionally, there are plans to boost the creation and use of e-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces. These platforms would help ensure that MSMEs can continue operating even if their physical locations are affected, offering a more resilient and connected business environment.
Recent data shows that the country loses an estimated KSh 3 billion every day during protests. A large share of these losses is suffered by MSMEs, who often lack the financial strength to recover on their own.
During the June 25 protests, many shops in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) were broken into by criminals who took advantage of the demonstrations.
These goons looted goods and damaged property while the shop owners were left helpless and counting heavy losses, unsure whether they would be compensated.
The incidents occurred despite warnings from police against criminal elements taking over peaceful protests.
Similar scenes were witnessed earlier on Tuesday, June 17, when thugs infiltrated a peaceful march in honour of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody. The criminals were seen on camera looting shops, attacking civilians, and assaulting protesters.
With these new strategies, the government hopes to not only support current victims but also prepare the country better for such events in the future, making the business environment safer and more stable for small traders.
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