Murang’a: The Murang’a County government has issued cheques worth Sh440,000 as support to traders whose businesses were destroyed during the recent protests against high fuel prices.
According to Kenya News Agency, the move by the devolved administration is an effort aimed at helping the businesspeople recover, rebuild their enterprises, and restore livelihoods disrupted by the unrest. The financial support, facilitated through the County Government Emergency Fund, benefited 21 businesses from different parts of the town that suffered varying levels of destruction during the protests.
Speaking during the issuance of the cheques at the county headquarters, Governor Irungu Kang’ata emphasized the critical role played by the private sector in driving economic growth, creating employment, and generating revenue through taxes. Kang’ata noted that traders form the backbone of the county’s economy and therefore deserved support whenever emergencies and disasters disrupt their businesses.
Governor Kang’ata explained that the amount awarded to each beneficiary was determined after an assessment exercise conducted by a county team, with support being issued according to the extent of damage incurred by each business. He stressed that while the compensation may not fully cover all the losses suffered by the traders, the intervention was meant to offer relief and demonstrate solidarity with affected business owners as they work towards recovery.
Kang’ata further clarified that the County Emergency Fund is specifically meant to cater to damages and losses resulting from disasters, public emergencies, and natural calamities affecting communities and businesses. He assured traders that the county government would continue to implement measures aimed at protecting businesses and ensuring a stable environment that supports investment and economic growth.
The governor affirmed that the devolved government remains committed to cushioning residents and businesses against unexpected disasters through emergency response programmes and recovery interventions. He called on the security team, led by the county commissioner, to protect business premises, especially during demonstrations, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies should handle the protection of locals and their investments.
Murang’a Township MCA Charles Machigo praised the county government for supporting those who lost their merchandise during the protests. Machigo called for investigations, suggesting that some individuals might have used the protests to fuel business rivalries, which should be addressed to prevent future occurrences.
