Mombasa experienced heightened security on Saba Saba Day, with most businesses remaining closed due to fears of looting and property destruction amid anticipated protests.
A heavy police presence patrolled the major streets of the Central Business District. So far, no demonstrations have been experienced in the port city.
Authorities had earlier declined a protest notification submitted by activists on Friday, citing concerns that the demonstrations could be infiltrated by criminals.
Mohamed Ali, Chairman of Mackinnon Market, noted that even the threat of protests scares away customers, creating tension that severely affects small-scale traders. He urged for peace to enable businesses to thrive.
If the protests are prolonged, he noted, it would lead to a scarcity of vegetables that are mainly sourced from the countryside.
“This disrupts the supply chain. The limited produce that does arrive at Kongowea Market becomes more expensive due to reduced supply,” said Ali.
Abdalla Athman, a spice trader, said that most customers prefer to stay indoors during protests, which affects sales.
He also noted that local tourists who frequent the historic market tend to cancel their trips during such unrest.
“Small-scale traders, we are deeply affected by the protests. No investor will stay in Kenya if it’s going to be like this. We will lose investors. The government doesn’t have the wherewithal to establish factories; we depend on investors,” he warned.
Drivers of tuk-tuks, a preferred mode of transport on Mombasa Island, reported low passenger numbers because of the ensuing protests, and many people opted to stay indoors.
“We have been greatly affected. At the end of the day, the tuk-tuk owner wants his share, and I, too, want some money for my family and rent. If the situation continues like this, we will be affected,” said Simiyu Terra, a tuk-tuk driver, appealing for the government to restore normalcy.
Chairman of Nyali Youth Association Evan Mtalii said the protests were derailed after they were denied a permit by the police but are in court to secure an order to continue with the protest to mark Saba Saba Day.
He appealed to the government to redirect its efforts in service delivery rather than in preventing peaceful protests.
“We don’t need a dialogue to solve issues. We are highlighting the problem; the government should look into the concerns and rectify them without calling us to the table because they already know our concerns,” said Mtalii.
By Sadik Hassan
