Protest violence deepens job losses, hurts economy – CS Kinyanjui

Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has spoken out against the violence and economic disruption caused by Monday’s Saba Saba demonstrations in various parts of the country.

The CS warned that Kenya cannot afford to destroy jobs and livelihoods in the name of protest.

“As the smoke settles, the extent of the damage and loss of life is becoming clear. Billions have been lost, and many lives disrupted, some forever. An abomination has visited the land,” the CS said in a statement.

“Families are mourning, while others nurse their wounded kin. This is not the reality we desire for a progressive nation,” he added

Kinyanjui decried the widespread vandalism and destruction of small businesses, calling it a major setback to economic recovery and job creation.

“My heart bleeds for the many businesses that were vandalized, looted, and burned down. Thousands now have no place to report to work or sell their wares. This is both defeatist and retrogressive,” he stated

In a direct appeal to Kenyans, the Trade CS reiterated that anarchy is not the answer to the country’s economic challenges.

“We cannot sacrifice our businesses and terminate jobs to protest the cost of living—doing so only worsens the problem,” he cautioned noting “We have added more people to the jobless bench. Anarchy is not the panacea to the challenges our society faces. We can and must do better than this,”