Eastleigh

Business disrupted in Eastleigh as suspected looters storm the town

Chaos erupted in Eastleigh as suspected looters invaded the busy business hub. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Thursday, June 27, 2024

Business owners, fearing looting, immediately closed their shops, bringing business activities to a standstill within minutes.

Eastleigh experienced chaos on Thursday afternoon when suspected looters invaded the busy business neighbourhood.

Business owners, fearing looting, immediately closed their shops, bringing business activities to a standstill within minutes.

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The suspected looters accessed Eastleigh through General Wariungi Street. Some were on motorbikes while others were on foot throwing stones as they moved through Mohamed Yusuf Haji Avenue and then onto Athumani Kipande Street, also known locally as Jam Street.

Here, shops and business hubs were swiftly closed as shop owners stood guard outside their premises, fearing break-ins.

The situation escalated when goons from Mathare accessed Eastleigh through Muratina Road. Fracas ensued as some business owners decided to defend their businesses. The police arrived promptly, and the goons dispersed after being teargassed.

Heavy police presence on Twelfth Street in Eastleigh. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Minutes later, another group of goons invaded Twelfth Street from Yusuf Haji Avenue. Fights erupted between them and some youths from Eastleigh who were on standby, ready to defend themselves. Stones were thrown, and noises filled the air.

The goons raised their hands, signalling they wanted peace. Seeing the goons surrender, the Eastleigh youth joined them, and they began chanting "Ruto must go" together at the Twelfth Street roundabout.

For about five minutes, the Eastleigh youths and the goons united in their chant. Police vehicles arrived minutes later, and officers lobbed teargas to disperse the crowd.

The first teargas canister hit part of Madina Mall, breaking one of its glass windows.

The busy business hub quickly turned into a battleground, with the youth regrouping each time they were dispersed by the police.

The suspected goons left soon after, leaving the Eastleigh youths to face the police.

The Eastleigh Voice witnessed police officers using rods to beat anyone nearby, which angered onlookers. Some onlookers told the police they were only there as spectators and were not causing any harm.

A police officer was heard telling the crowd, "Go home and stop being here, we will shoot you."

However, this warning fell on deaf ears.

The police eventually left after realizing there were no demonstrations or imminent danger.

Police used teargas to disperse the goons who were chanting 'Ruto must go' on Eastleigh's Twelfth Street roundabout. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Eastleigh, usually busy with business activities during the evening, was left eerily quiet. The once-busy Twelfth Street roundabout was almost empty, with only a few vehicles passing through. The large shopping malls were all closed.

Since the demonstrations began last week, Eastleigh business owners have been in constant fear. Rumours that goons would invade Eastleigh to cause mayhem have spread, heightening their anxiety.

News and videos of looted shops in Nairobi's Central Business District shared online have worsened their fears, leading many to believe their shops in Eastleigh could be next.

Despite the chaos on Thursday afternoon, no shops in Eastleigh were looted, and no injuries were reported.