Kieni MP Painfully Recalls How Anti-Finance Bill Protests Left His Properties In Ruins
Njoroge Wainaina, a Kieni Member of Parliament, claims that the destruction of his businesses during the anti-Finance Bill protests resulted in losses of millions of shillings.
The lawmaker stated that he lost Ksh.550 million during the Tuesday protests when his supermarket in Kieni, Nyeri County, was demolished.
These included stock worth Ksh.450 million and equipment such as bakery shelves costing around Ksh.100 million.
Furthermore, the legislator claimed he had paid a price for voting in favor of the Finance Bill.
“The scrap metal dealers are now scavenging for the metallic stands that remained after the inferno even as the employees have been left jobless,” he told AfricasNow, pointing out that he had 350 employees.Â
The lawmaker explained that, despite incurring significant losses, he did not regret voting for the Bill because he did so for the benefit of his constituents.
“I voted in support of the Bill because the people of Kieni stood to benefit from it being an agricultural zone where our people farm onions, potatoes, eggs and milk will enjoy all the way to the bank because the competition from outside the country would have been reduced with the passage of the bill,” he noted.
The MP also claimed that the vandalism and looting were orchestrated by thugs posing as peaceful protesters.
Several MPs who supported the bill have admitted to paying the price for their stance, which contradicted the will of the people.
Oscar Sudi, MP for Kapseret, also condemned the chaos caused by the vandalism of his Timber XO nightclub.
“What transpired on Tuesday, which followed an otherwise peaceful protest by Gen-Z is unfortunate. However, the magnitude of the loss of lives, looting and property destruction that happened is appalling and it negates the spirit of our constitution,” he said.
Kenyans online were hellbent on pursuing the 204 MPs who voted in favor of the bill after the Second Reading stage.
The legislators’ numbers were shared online as Kenyans expressed their dissatisfaction with the leaders who are supposed to represent the people.
As pressure mounted and protests raged, President William Ruto caved and refused to sign the Finance Bill.
Kieni MP Painfully Recalls How Anti-Finance Bill Protests Left His Properties In Ruins
