A QuickMart supermarket in the town of Mtwapa, Kilifi County, has been hit by looting amid ongoing protests against President William Ruto's government across Kenya.
Eyewitnesses say a large group of people stormed the supermarket and started taking items from the shelves. The employees were unable to stop the looting, and police were reportedly not present at the time.
The incident in Mtwapa is the latest in a series of protests that have erupted in several Kenyan counties. Residents in Kakamega, Kisii, Nairobi, and now Mombasa have taken to the streets to express their discontent with the Ruto administration's policies and the country's economic situation.
In Kakamega, protesters have been criticizing the government's handling of public funds and the rising cost of living. In Kisii, the demonstrators have voiced their opposition to the proposed Finance Bill 2024, which they believe will further burden struggling Kenyans.
The largest protests have been taking place in the capital, Nairobi, where thousands have gathered to demand accountability and reforms from the Ruto government. These demonstrations have sometimes turned violent, with clashes reported between protesters and security forces.
Just yesterday, the protests spread to the coastal city of Mombasa, where residents joined the nationwide movement calling for change and an end to the economic hardships they have been facing.
"The people have had enough. They are tired of empty promises and a government that seems more concerned with its own interests than the wellbeing of its citizens," said a community leader in Mombasa, who requested anonymity.
The looting incident in Mtwapa has further exacerbated the tense situation, with many Kenyans expressing concern over the potential for more widespread civil unrest if the government does not address the underlying issues that have fueled these protests.
Authorities have vowed to maintain order and ensure the safety of all Kenyans. However, the persistent and widespread nature of the demonstrations suggests that more drastic measures may be necessary to restore stability and address the deep-seated grievances of the Kenyan people.