Tens of youths invaded Naivas Supermarket on Tuesday evening looting goods worth millions of shillings before torching the office of Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara.
Following the incident, police moved in and arrested 130 suspects including women following day-long demos over the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
EPCO hotel where the office of the MP is located was also burnt down as the irate youths left a trail of destruction at the offices of KRA and NHIF during the late Tuesday evening incident.
This came as more police officers, drawn from various security agencies, heightened patrols in and around the town, following the looting spree that left residents seething in anger.
At Naivas Supermarket, more than 100 workers were sent home with the management saying that they would issue a statement later on the losses incurred.
Naivasha subcounty police commander Stephen Kirui said that they had managed to recover some of the stolen items and were seeking more suspects following the incident.
He said that all those arrested would be charged in court with various offences while assuring traders and area residents that security had been beefed up.
“We have arrested 130 suspects who were found looting the supermarket and we are tracking those who vandalised and burnt the MP’s office,” he said.
While calling for a peaceful demonstration, the police boss warned those involved in criminal activities that they would face the full wrath of the law.
The proprietor of EPCO Hotel Wanjiru Kahura said that she had lost goods worth millions of shillings following the looting by the youths.
She said that her sin was hosting the MP’s office which the youths were targeting, adding that all her 40 rooms in the hotel were vandalised.
“They first vandalised and burnt down the MP’s office before turning to my hotel and looting beddings and other personal effects,” she said while calling for compensation from the State.
One of the youth leaders, Mike Mbugua said that the peaceful demonstration had been invaded by criminals with the sole aim of stealing from members of the public.
While condemning the looting, he said that tens of youths who worked in the Naivas Supermarket, the hotel and the MP’s office had lost their jobs.
“Majority of the youths came out to protest against the Finance Bill but unfortunately some criminals had ill motives and we condemn this,” he said.
