Tanzania’s post-election unrest has left a trail of destruction across major cities, with several celebrities now counting heavy losses after angry protests spiraled into looting and vandalism. What began as demonstrations over alleged election irregularities quickly morphed into violent clashes — torching businesses, vehicles and public property, including high-profile ventures owned by some of the country’s most prominent entertainers.
Rapper Billnass, one of Tanzania’s biggest hip-hop exports, was among the first celebrity victims. His phone and electronics store, Nenga Tronix, located in Dar es Salaam, was set ablaze by a mob that accused him of ‘siding with the government.’
The attack came hours after he publicly congratulated President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her projected victory — a move that didn’t sit well with sections of the opposition-leaning youth.
Viral videos circulating on X and Instagram showed the shop engulfed in flames, with onlookers attempting to salvage items as others chanted slogans. By morning, only a shell of burnt metal and glass remained.
In a statement shared online, Billnass expressed heartbreak:“I built this from scratch. Seeing it destroyed breaks me, but I’m thankful no lives were lost. Let’s not let politics divide us this way.”
Singer and entrepreneur Shilole — real name Zena Yusuf Mohamed — also found herself among the casualties of the chaos. Her popular eatery Shishi Food was vandalised and set on fire during the protests too in Dar es Salaam’s Tabata area.
Eyewitness videos shared on TikTok show flames consuming parts of the restaurant’s exterior, while staff and residents tried to contain the blaze with buckets of water.
The restaurant, known for its Swahili cuisine and celebrity clientele, had just reopened after renovations earlier this year.
“Everything is gone,” Shilole reportedly told local reporters. “My staff are in tears, we worked so hard for this. I don’t even know where to start again.”
Fans and fellow artists including Harmonize and Nandy have since expressed solidarity, calling on authorities to protect small businesses and public figures caught in the political storm.
While the protests were initially concentrated around election tallying centres, they soon spread to commercial areas — Kariakoo, Ubungo and parts of Mwanza — where shops and public transport vehicles were looted or burned.
Authorities have confirmed several injuries and arrests, enforcing a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Dar es Salaam to restore order. The unrest erupted after opposition leaders claimed the electoral process was marred by ‘massive irregularities’ and called for demonstrations.
Though unverified reports continue to surface, so far only a handful of celebrity-linked properties have been confirmed damaged. In addition to Billnass and Shilole, a few influencers and small-scale entrepreneurs have reported break-ins and vandalism at beauty shops and boutiques.
Meanwhile, property losses extend far beyond celebrity circles — with widespread damage to transport terminals, polling tents, and public offices across major cities.
Online, Tanzanians have expressed mixed emotions. While many sympathise with the victims, others view the events as an unfortunate byproduct of anger over alleged electoral injustice.
Prominent media personality Millard Ayo urged calm, writing on X:
“Destroying each other’s businesses won’t fix our politics. Today it’s Billnass and Shilole, tomorrow it could be you. Let’s channel our frustration into dialogue.”
Artists’ unions in Dar es Salaam have called on the government to support affected creatives through relief funds and rebuild initiatives. “Our industry is already struggling post-pandemic — these losses will take years to recover from,” said a statement from the Tanzania Music Foundation.
The incidents have reignited discussion on the vulnerability of entertainers who venture into business, particularly in politically charged climates. For many Tanzanian stars, commercial ventures such as restaurants, boutiques and electronics shops have become vital income sources beyond music