The Nairobi Business Community has appealed to organisers of the planned demonstrations led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to reconsider holding the protests in the capital, warning that the action could disrupt business and threaten public safety.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the lobby group said while it respects the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, it is concerned that continued demonstrations in Nairobi would place an unfair economic burden on traders and residents.
The statement was read by the group’s chairman, Nelson Githaiga, who said business owners in the city are already struggling under difficult economic conditions.
“We fully respect the constitutional right of every Kenyan to peaceful assembly and expression. However, business owners, workers, parents and residents of Nairobi also have a right to carry on with their daily economic activities without disruption,” Githaiga said.
He noted that many traders cannot afford to close their shops or suspend operations whenever demonstrations are announced, warning that repeated interruptions risk pushing small businesses further into financial distress.
Githaiga further argued that the planned protests, which are linked to political events in Nyeri, should be held closer to the source of the grievances rather than in the capital.
He specifically suggested that any demonstrations related to the Nyeri events would be more appropriate if conducted in Witima, instead of Nairobi.
The business lobby urged protest organisers to take into account the safety of city residents and the economic impact on traders before finalising their plans, stressing that political disagreements should not be resolved at the expense of livelihoods in the capital.
