Eastleigh businessman loses Sh1.5m to vandals during anti-govt demos 

Rubis petrol station in Kitengela became a scene of vandalism and theft during anti-government demonstrations on Tuesday.

CCTV footage showed goons breaking into the area holding gas cylinders and making away with all of them. They also broke into the office, destroying chairs, furniture, documents, and other paperwork.

The proprietor of Rubis Kitengela, Ali Ibren, from Eastleigh, reported a loss of goods worth Sh 1.5 million.

Among the stolen items were 127 small gas cylinders, each costing Sh6,000, and 23 large gas cylinders, each costing Sh12,000. Other stolen items included computers, several lubes, and engine oils.

Mohamed Ali, the firstborn son of Ali Ibren, was the first to react after seeing the video of the property being looted on social media. He emphasised that while everyone has the right to picket and demonstrate, it does not include destroying property or looting.

"These are hooligans and no constitution gives you the power to loot someone's property," he said.

Speaking to The Eastleigh Voice, Mohamed noted it was a sad day for his elderly father and their family, as the looting had greatly devastated them. He confirmed that they had no insurance and were uncertain about how to move forward.

Police fingered

Ali Ibren expressed his dismay after seeing the video of his business being looted on social media. He stated that he had no intention of reporting the looting to the police, as they were present during the vandalism.

"I am down and so sad. I have lost a great investment of more than Sh1.5 million," he said.

Ali, a respected businessman, has several shops in Eastleigh, where he has lived for over 25 years. He noted that the people manning the petrol station now live in fear after being threatened by the looters.

"My people have been threatened. There is fear that the looters might come back to cause more harm if there are more demonstrations," said Ali.

He believes that while everyone has the right to demonstrate and picket, it greatly harms businesses as they are forced to close shop, preventing them from making sales.

He says that even closing the shop is not enough, as looters take advantage and vandalise businesses.

"The demonstrations are harming business. Looters take advantage and cause harm or destroy properties, which is against the Constitution," said Ali.

Ali hopes there demonstrations will end and that the looters will not return to loot his premises.