BY ANGELA R. KIURA
A prominent Embu businessman has raised alarm over the escalating violent protests in the region, warning that the unrest is scaring away investors and threatening to derail multi-billion shilling development plans.
Ken Java Mwaniki, popularly known as Wakagoto, took to his social media to express frustration after several of his flagship investment projects in Embu stalled due to growing insecurity.
“If I had known Embu would take this direction three years ago, I would have made a more informed decision on matters investment,” Mwaniki posted, revealing that four key tenants had already pulled out of his developments.
Among the withdrawn investors is the highly anticipated Karen Hospital, which was set to open a major branch in Embu, and a top anchor tenant expected to create over 250 local jobs.
Mwaniki, whose Embu Industrial Revolution Vision 2035 aims to establish tens of factories and create at least thousands of jobs, said the protests pose a serious threat to his dream of turning Embu into a regional industrial powerhouse.
His warning comes in the wake of violent demonstrations that rocked Embu Town and Manyatta Constituency, following the arrest of area MP Gitonga Mukunji over alleged links to the Saba Saba protests.
Businesses were looted and others destroyed, with the Embu business community counting millions in losses.
Wakagoto urged residents and leaders to urgently restore calm and safeguard the county’s reputation as a secure, investment-friendly region.
“Let us protect Embu’s image as a safe and promising destination for investors,” he appealed.
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