In Emali Town, Makueni County, protestors on Thursday, July 4, targeted and looted Eden Mart Supermarket, owned by a local politician who contested but lost in the 2022 parliamentary elections. The extent of the stolen goods remains unspecified.
Following the looting, the protestors proceeded to forcefully enter a nearby hotel, consuming its supplies. The predominantly youthful crowd then blocked the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, disrupting traffic for the second time in a week.
Reports indicate that the protests, initially centered around the Finance Bill, have now evolved into local political rivalries. According to a reporter speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, protestors have aligned themselves with different factions of the Kenya Kwanza political movement.
The unrest has severely impacted local businesses, with many opting to remain closed due to fears of violence and property damage. Emali, within Kibwezi West Constituency, has become a focal point of anti-government demonstrations in the Lower Eastern region, encompassing Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni Counties.
Earlier in the week, a tragic incident occurred when a young man fell from a moving lorry during the protests, resulting in his death. The area MP, Mwengi Mutuse, who faced backlash for supporting the Finance Bill before its withdrawal, also experienced hostility from constituents during recent public appearances.
Despite these tensions, MP Mutuse reaffirmed his stance and asserted that Kibwezi West residents appreciated his decision. Elected under the Maendeleo Chap Chap party, Mutuse remains aligned with President William Ruto’s political agenda since the 2022 general elections.
