Traders in Nakuru are counting losses after the Wednesday's nationwide protests.

According to the small business owners, some of the protesters took the opportunity to loot shops and vandalise a number of business premises.

Police engaged in running battles with demonstrators who took to the streets to protest against the high cost of living.

Areas at the epicentre of the protests included Pondamali, Mazembe and Shabab.

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The aftermath was marked by smashed windows, a testimony to the level of destruction.

"I never knew Nakuru could be so bad when it comes to protests. I was forced to close my shop after they started looting," said a frightened Catherine Njogu, a trader in Shabaab.

Another trader who lost his goods in the protests had pain written all over his face as he emotionally recounted how he watched helplessly as the thugs looted his shop.

"They broke into my shop and stole goods. They stole goods like wheat flour, maize flour, milk and sugar from the shelves. They left me counting losses that I will never get back," said John Kamau.

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This is perhaps one of the worst protests Nakuru has experienced, as in the past when similar demonstrations have taken place around the country, Nakuru has enjoyed a degree of peace.

"We were here for a peaceful demonstration. But the police started throwing teargas to disperse us, which angered these boys and they started attacking them too. We are out here to show Kenyans that we have been suffering in silence. It is our democratic right to demonstrate," said Nakuru West youth secretary Felix Odhiambo.

In Pondamali, police rescued school children who had reported for school and were caught up in the protests.
In Mazembe and Shabab, protesters blocked roads and lit bonfires with tyre.

The bold protesters also attempted to block the busy Nakuru-Eldoret highway at Eveready and KFA roundabouts, but were repelled by contingents of police deployed to quell the protests.

Police in riot gear, led by newly-appointed Nakuru County police commander Samwel Ndanyi, were forced to fire tear gas canisters several times to disperse the protesters.

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Nakuru traders count losses after protests

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