NAIROBI, Kenya — From Naivasha to Nairobi, Ruiru to Meru, the June 25 and July 7 protests left behind a trail of destruction that devastated hundreds of businesses, with looted supermarkets, razed vehicles, and vandalized hospitals painting a portrait of economic sabotage.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, marauding gangs took advantage of the demonstrations to unleash what he termed as “barefaced anarchy,” plunging families into financial ruin.
“Years of hard work and sacrifice were lost in an instant,” Murkomen lamented during a briefing at Harambee House. “This was not a protest. It was terror.”
Business losses spanned multiple counties, with supermarkets like Naivas, Powerstar, Khetias, Quickmart, and Kassmart among the worst hit.
In Nakuru County, Powerstar supermarket was set ablaze after looting, while in Ruiru, criminals destroyed CCTV systems before making off with millions worth of stock from Quickmart and Carrefour.
UPDATE ON THE STATE OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CHAOS WITNESSED IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ON JUNE 25TH AND JULY 7TH , 2025
In Meru, three major retail outlets — Magunas, Selenite, and 711 Bar — were attacked. Magunas was allegedly petrol-bombed, causing irreversible damage. A total of 40 suspects have been arrested in Meru alone.
Kirinyaga County also bore the brunt. Gangs looted Nice City Supermarket in Mwea, torched the NG-CDF offices, and ransacked County Supermarket in Kagumo. Over 20 suspects have been charged.
One of the most disturbing incidents occurred in Kitengela, where armed attackers stormed a hospital operating theatre, disrupting an emergency caesarean section.
Two suspects were arrested and released on Ksh 50,000 bail — a move Murkomen condemned as dangerously lenient.
“This is an offence most foul,” he said. “Hospitals are sanctuaries. Violating them reflects a level of depravity we cannot ignore.”
Authorities say intelligence-led operations prevented further damage to critical infrastructure and revealed coordinated plans to destabilize the country. So far, nearly 1,500 arrests have been made across various counties.
Murkomen emphasized that those behind the violence — from foot soldiers to financiers — would face the full force of the law.
He also hinted at political elements sponsoring unrest and promised forthcoming arrests of “those who incited, organized or funded the mayhem.”
