By Robert Mutasi 
As Kenya marked the second anniversary of the historic Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill 2024, business owners in Eldoret took no chances.
Across the city, traders, property owners and entrepreneurs spent days preparing for any eventuality, determined to shield their investments from the kind of destruction and looting that left many counting heavy losses two years ago.
While the commemorative protests passed peacefully in most parts of the country, memories of the chaos witnessed in June 2024 remained vivid among Eldoret’s business community. For many, the scars of that turbulent period have not fully healed.
From reinforced security grills and newly installed surveillance systems to the deployment of private guards and the closure of vulnerable premises, business owners adopted a range of measures aimed at protecting property worth millions of shillings.
“We do not want a repeat of what happened in 2024 when businesses suffered huge losses after demonstrations turned violent,” said Joshua Maina, a trader operating in Eldoret’s Central Business District.
His concerns reflected a wider mood across the city, where anxiety hung in the air despite the absence of major disturbances.
On Thursday morning, Eldoret presented a different picture from its usual bustling self. Traffic along major roads was lighter than normal. Some shops remained closed, while many hawkers who ordinarily occupy busy streets stayed away.
The atmosphere was calm but cautious.
Several traders stationed employees outside their premises to monitor movements, while others coordinated with neighbouring businesses to keep watch over entire blocks.
At Eldoret Main Retail Market, trader Mary Too said many business people preferred to sacrifice a day’s earnings rather than risk losing everything.
“Although the situation remains calm, we are taking all necessary precautions to avoid suffering losses similar to those experienced on June 25, 2024,” she said.
The heightened vigilance was reinforced by a heavy security presence across the city.
Anti-riot police officers patrolled key streets while security teams guarded strategic installations. Along the busy Eldoret-Uganda highway, police officers conducted spot checks and manned roadblocks in an effort to prevent any disruptions.
Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Edison Nyale said authorities had strengthened security arrangements to ensure normal business activities continued uninterrupted.
“We cannot take chances. Security has been enhanced around government premises, residential areas and the CBD. Adequate personnel have been deployed to deal with any acts of lawlessness,” he said.
Dr Nyale noted that security checks had also been intensified at entry points into the town to prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the city.
“There is smooth traffic flow in and out of the city, and measures have been put in place to facilitate normal operations,” he added.
The caution displayed by businesses stems directly from the painful experiences of June 2024, when protests against the Finance Bill escalated into widespread unrest.
Eldoret was among the towns that suffered extensive destruction as demonstrators and criminal elements targeted both public and private property.
Several prominent establishments were burned down, including two major nightclubs and restaurants. The Municipal Court was reduced to ashes, while government offices came under attack.
The Kenya National Library branch and the Geminia Insurance Company building were also destroyed during the unrest.
For individual traders, the losses were devastating.
HL Chemist and Mobile Phones Store proprietor Morgan Kipkoech lost merchandise valued at approximately Sh10 million after looters broke into his premises and carted away stock.
Rugendo Bata shoe dealer David Wakaimba suffered losses estimated at Sh100 million after his business was raided.
Meanwhile, the owner of Baniyas Square Club and Restaurant incurred losses exceeding Sh40 million after looters stole television sets, public address systems, alcoholic beverages and other valuable equipment.
The financial impact of the destruction forced many entrepreneurs to rebuild from scratch, invest in stronger security infrastructure and review their risk management strategies.
Today, those painful lessons continue to shape how businesses respond to periods of uncertainty.
Security was also heightened around the Uasin Gishu County headquarters, one of the facilities targeted during the 2024 unrest when demonstrators stormed the compound, set the Municipal Court on fire and vandalised government property.
Although this year’s anniversary passed without major incidents in Eldoret, the visible security measures and cautious approach adopted by businesses highlighted the lasting impact of the events of June 2024.
For many traders, protecting their livelihoods has become just as important as rebuilding them. The reinforced doors, security grills and private guards seen across the city stand as reminders that while businesses may recover from destruction, the memory of such losses endures far longer.
As Eldoret continues to grow as a commercial hub in the North Rift region, business owners hope stability will prevail and that the painful chapter of 2024 will remain a lesson from the past rather than a recurring reality.
Eldoret Leo