-
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, March 20 revealed that the Azimio mass protests that paralysed business in various towns across the country cost the Kenya Kwanza government Ksh2 billion.
Speaking while receiving relief food at the Mombasa Port, Gachagua explained that the money was lost because of the closure of businesses within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
He explained that entrepreneurs closed shops after earlier declarations by Azimio protestors.
A photo of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and crew members of the ship that ferried 27,000 metric tonnes of wheat to the Port of Mombasa on March 20, 2023.
Rigathi Gachagua
“Quite a number of entrepreneurs did not open their shops and businesses in the Nairobi CBD due to fear of looting and destruction of property.
“As a result of lack of business, the country has lost almost Ksh2 billion – money that should have been circulated in the economy,” Gachagua reiterated.
The DP claimed that the mass action could cripple the economy that was slowly recovering – a move he argued negatively affected Kenya’s reputation with international investors.
“We were getting a lot of affirmation from international financial players and all other partners but the events that took place today is not good for the progress,” he added.
He pleaded with Azimio to consider the mass action not only today but also several others in the pipeline for the forthcoming weeks and asked Kenyans to ignore the calls for demonstrations.
Subsequently, he announced that President William Ruto had issued an order to the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to restore normalcy in the CBD
Gachagua reiterated his call to have Azimio principals ask their children to be at the forefront of mass action instead of using others to pursue selfish interests.
Raila is yet to make a public appearance at the agreed meeting point. However, he was meeting Azimio leaders at a hotel in Nairobi.
An attempt by the leaders to address the media was thwarted by a contingent of police officers who lobbed teargas canisters at Odinga’s convoy.
A photo of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen arrive at the Port of Mombasa on March 20, 2023.
Rigathi Gachagua
