(Hold) Scars of protest: Sunbeam traders still await justice following 2024 fire tragedy during anti-tax demos

Charles Munene prefers not to recall an event that completely changed his life, an ordeal that robbed him of peace, a secure future, and close friends.

Munene was a trader at Sunbeam Business Complex, which was torched during the protests against the Finance Bill on June 25 last year.

He considers himself fortunate to have survived the chaos, unlike three of his fellow traders who lost their lives in the raging inferno that also consumed all their goods.

"I am lucky to be alive. We lost colleagues, and others are still living with disabilities to this day," he said.

When Eastleigh Voice visited his new vending stall at Cianda Business Complex, still located along Mfangano Street, Munene appeared reflective, the memories of his massive losses resurfacing.

"We lost property worth millions. Other traders were looted by rowdy youths who were ready to harm anyone who got in their way," he recounted.

Munene now serves as the chairperson of the traders who were affected by the Sunbeam fire. He harbours deep disappointment toward politicians and political leadership, stating that what they received in the aftermath were empty promises that turned into lies.

"We were given endless promises by both the county and national governments. They promised smooth relocation and even seed capital to help us restart our businesses," he said.

One year on, none of the promises made by Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration have been fulfilled. According to Munene, efforts to engage officials at both the county and national levels have been unsuccessful.

The Sunbeam Business Complex remains in ruins, a haunting reminder of lives lost and dreams shattered.

Munene noted that only a handful of affected traders have managed to resume business. Many, he said, have since relocated to rural areas after receiving no assistance and facing a worsening economic situation exacerbated by political instability.

"Most of the traders returned to their villages. It was not an easy decision, but they had no alternative. Despite all the promises from political leaders, no one came through for them," said Munene.

The traders are now calling for political sobriety and respect for the rule of law, urging leaders to ensure that future protests do not interfere with business operations.

"We plead with the political class to respect the law and ensure protests do not lead to deaths, destruction of property, or the creation of a hostile environment for businesses," he said.

Other Topics To Read

• City Affairs
• Governor Johnson Sakaja
• Traders
• Protesters
• Sunbeam Business Complex
• Charles Munene
• Sunbeam fire
• (Hold) Scars of protest: Sunbeam traders still await justice following 2024 fire tragedy during anti-tax demos
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The Sunbeam Shopping Complex was razed during the anti-tax protests on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, along Mfangano Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).

Once a thriving hub of commerce and community, the complex now stands as a stark reminder of the protests that shook the city on the same day Parliament was stormed and set alight.

On that day, goons, reportedly armed, smashed the building’s glass frontage before police intervened.

Now, blackened walls and twisted metal have replaced the vibrant storefronts that once characterised this commercial hotspot. Shattered glass and charred debris are all that remain of once-prosperous businesses.

The burnt remains of traders who failed to escape were later discovered, some up to a week after the fire broke out.

In addition to Sunbeam Mall, the Ugandan High Commission on Kenyatta Avenue also caught fire. The multi-storey commercial building was reportedly torched just four days before it was due to be commissioned.

Several supermarkets and shops along Ronald Ngala Street and City Hall Way were among the worst hit in the CBD.

Naivas supermarket on Ronald Ngala and Carrefour supermarket were vandalised, with crowds seen walking off with household items, electronics, furniture, and other goods, painting a grim picture of the extent of the losses incurred.

As the country marks the first anniversary of the storming of Parliament during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests, the business community feels its losses have been sidelined and perhaps forgotten, at least according to the traders.