Property and businesses worth millions were lost in Kisumu County during the anti-government demonstrations, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has said.
The business community was the hardest hit as shops were looted and various properties destroyed, according to Kindiki.
He said goons took advantage of the demonstrations to loot businesses and destroy public and private properties in February, March and April.
Kindiki revealed the losses following Senator Prof Tom Ojienda's request for a statement on the impact of demonstrations on the economy in Kisumu.
Prof Ojienda sought to be informed on the extent of damage caused to public and private property and the number of businesses affected during the demonstrations.
He sought explanations on measures in place by the national government and county government to compensate residents for their lost businesses and property.
The Senator wanted KIndiki to outline measures by the government to hold perpetrators accountable and ongoing criminal proceedings.
Kindiki pointed out that the arson at the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) office in Milimani led to the property of Sh 1.5 million being destroyed. One suspect was arrested and charged.
During the function organised by the Communication Authority at Kenyatta Sports Grounds, the demonstrations resulted in the loss of equipment and food worth Sh 1.2 million.
Kindiki said property worth Sh5 million were looted by thugs who broke into Jamia supermarket.
"In Kondele Police Station the windows including the staff quarters were smashed resulting in a loss of Sh1.5 million," he said.
The CS said several public and private motor vehicles, including police vehicles, worth Sh4 million were damaged during the protests.
The newly launched private mortuary at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital as well as a number of doctors’ houses were looted and vandalized. The losses incurred were Sh2 million.
Kindiki’s statement further indicated the Aga Khan Hospital's new building’s window was smashed. The amount of damage was not stated.
Imperial Sarova had window panes worth Sh20,000 damaged.
Pitstop Dala Bar was vandalized and property worth Sh 1.2 million was looted.
Sairam supermarket and Khandwala shop in Maseno were not spared as they lost goods and property worth Sh2 million and Sh 500,000 respectively.
Further, Naivas supermarkets with three outlets in Kisumu had window panes of Sh 150,000 smashed.
Besides looting and destruction, most businesses were closed down causing unquantifiable losses in paying staff, rent and other utilities, and perishable goods during the demonstrations.
"All banks and micro financial institutions were closed leading to low money transactions in Kisumu. The markets were also causing a loss of perishable goods,” Kindiki said.
He pointed out the county government lost unquantifiable revenue due to the closure of markets and businesses.
“The county billboards worth Sh 1.6 million were destroyed,” Kindiki said.
Boda bodas, tuktuks and matatus lost 70 percent of their daily revenue. The petrol stations were also closed.
During the three-day demonstrations in July, Kindiki said 10 stores of assorted jua kali items were vandalized.
Nyando Social Justice Centre, an Indian-owned store at Ahero, Joel Omino secondary, assistant chief’s office-Nyalenda, Nightingale hospital, Dobenture mitumba shop and Nyalenda health Centre were also vandalized.
The CS said the transport operations were paralysed after youths barricaded Kambundi, Kitmikayi, Namba Kapiyo, and Stage Maria Barkorwa junction in Seme subcounty.
A lorry ferrying cereals to Kericho was looted and the window of a hearse smashed. In Nyakach, a police vehicle had its windscreen smashed.
On July 1, the demonstrators blocked the Kisumu-Kericho highway at Awasi and Ahero, causing a traffic snarl-up.
The Kisumu-Busia road was blocked at Bandani, Otonglo, Tiengre and Kisumu International Airport were also blocked.
"Youths barricaded roads at Korowe with extortion of road users reported," the CS said.
Kindiki noted that all sectors of the economy including businesses were affected including bars, markets, shops, supermarkets, financial institutions and schools.
He announced that the ministry has no allocation to compensate residents who lost their property during demonstrations.
Kindiki said the cases reported were investigated and suspects were arraigned and charged in court for various offences.
The cases include malicious damage and stealing among others.