Nice City Owner Recounts How He Lost Over Sh50M in Saba Saba Looting

Business owner speaks out after violent attack left entire complex in ruins, forcing over 1,000 employees out of work

KIRINYAGA COUNTY – The owner of Nice Digital Mwea has broken his silence following a devastating attack on his business premises during the Saba Saba protests, revealing losses exceeding Sh50 million and warning of the broader economic impact on the local community.

Njiru Mkombozi, proprietor of the sprawling business complex in Ngurubani, Kirinyaga County, recounted the harrowing events of June 7, 2025, when hundreds of youths overwhelmed police security and ransacked his establishments.

“They were so many and they were very violent. Police officers exhausted all the tear gas they had and were chased away. That’s when the youths accessed my businesses,” Mkombozi told reporters, his voice heavy with the weight of the destruction.

The assault began at 9:00 a.m. when the attackers arrived at the premises, immediately targeting windows and doors before being initially repelled by police officers stationed at the complex. What followed was a two-hour running battle that would ultimately prove futile for law enforcement.

By 11:00 a.m., the overwhelmed police had been forced to retreat, leaving the business complex vulnerable.

The attackers wasted no time, storming into Nice Supermarket and systematically looting merchandise.

Others descended upon one of the three hotels on the premises, helping themselves to prepared meals including goat meat, chicken, and beef.

The situation only stabilized when a special police squad dispatched from Nairobi arrived to prevent further destruction.

Their intervention likely saved the remaining two hotels from a similar fate, though the damage was already catastrophic.

“Were it not for the special squad, my entire business worth around Sh2 billion would have gone up in flames,” Mkombozi reflected, underscoring how much worse the situation could have been.

The attack has had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate financial losses.

Over 1,000 employees now find themselves unable to report to work, highlighting the ripple effect of such violence on local communities.

For Mkombozi, who had recently secured a Sh50 million loan to restock his business, the path forward requires additional funding for repairs and operations restart.

The business owner’s frustration extends beyond the immediate losses to questions about the motivation behind the attack. “This business employs people from the local community. Why destroy it?” he asked, adding a personal touch: “I was once a village boy myself. You don’t need to steal to succeed.”

Mkombozi has raised concerns about business rivalry potentially fueling the attack, suggesting that competitors may have exploited the protest environment to target successful enterprises.

This allegation adds another layer of complexity to an already troubling incident.

Local political leadership has also weighed in on the matter.

Tebere MCA Peter Karinga condemned the incident, noting that most attackers appeared to be from outside the area.

His warning carries an ominous tone for future disturbances: “As the Ngurubani community, we now know these protests are not genuine. We will deal with goons. We will not allow this to happen again.”

Police have made progress in addressing the crime, with 30 suspects arrested in connection with the attack.

They are expected to face charges of robbery with violence, though questions remain about whether this will deter future incidents.

The Nice Digital Mwea attack represents more than just one businessman’s losses – it symbolizes the vulnerability of legitimate enterprises during periods of civil unrest.

Mkombozi’s call for traders to unite and find protective measures reflects growing concerns about the security of investments during nationwide protests.