Arise Media 
BY RITA MUTHONI
The Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Embu Chapter has strongly condemned the acts of vandalism that occurred during Tuesday’s Gen Z demonstrations.
The protests, which saw young people take to the streets initially aimed at demanding government accountability, escalated into property destruction, prompting a stern response from the business community.
Broken windows, looted shops, and defaced buildings marked the aftermath of the protest, leaving some Embu business owners counting their losses.
In a press briefing, Embu KNCCI Chairman John Mugo Mate decried the destruction of property, calling the acts ”unacceptable and detrimental to the community’s economic well-being.”
He emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations and the need for lawful avenues to express discontent.
“We support the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our Constitution. However, the vandalism witnessed during the Gen Z demos is a criminal act that cannot be tolerated. We urge law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in identifying and arresting the culprits responsible for these heinous acts,” he said.
In addition to condemning the vandalism, Mate addressed allegations that local authorities had hired goons to disrupt the protests, which led to the looting and destruction of multiple businesses.
“These claims are deeply troubling and, if true, represent a severe breach of trust and abuse of power. We call for an independent investigation into these allegations to ensure accountability and justice,” he asserted.
Embu County Police Commander Nicholas Maina assured the public that investigations would be conducted to address the concerns raised.
Elsewhere, economist John Mukundi refuted claims that Gen Z protesters have no leaders, urging them to come out for dialogue.
“There is no way we can have such an organized group without a centralized source of information and instructions. There must be a leader somewhere, and it’s high time they come out for a dialogue,” he said.
Additional report by Staff Writer.
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