Traders Count Heavy Losses From June 25 Gen Z Protests Countrywide

Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter on the morning after. Today, we are covering the losses and lives lost in the June 25 protests, as well as the return of aggressive loan-shaming tactics by digital lenders.

Gen Z Protests and the Aftermath

After barely recovering from last week's Gen Z protests, many businesses are now counting losses following the Wednesday, June 25, demonstrations, which took place across more than 25 counties.

Traders told the media that some of their shops were vandalised and inventory stolen after the protests, which were largely peaceful in the morning, turned chaotic and were soon infiltrated by vandals. Roads were blocked, disrupting transport, while some traders opted not to open their shops, foregoing the day’s profits.

Among the most affected counties were Nairobi, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Nyeri, Embu, Taita Taveta, and Busia, among others. The exact figure of the losses has yet to be confirmed, but experts estimate they could amount to billions of Kenyan shillings.

In Nakuru, for instance, looters and vandals broke into shops and stole goods, while others destroyed advertising materials and streetlights to sell as scrap metal. Some petrol stations reported gas cylinders being stolen and CCTV cameras destroyed.

In Nairobi, Moi Avenue was the most affected area, with several shops broken into, leaving behind a scene of shattered glass and damaged property.

The Chaos: Chaotic scenes were witnessed during the protests, with some demonstrators overpowering the police along Thika Road as bonfires were lit. In other areas, police used teargas to disperse the crowds, with the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) flagging concerns over the use of excessive force.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least 8 people lost their lives during the protests, with over 400 others injured. Sixty people were arrested.

View From the NSE: A report by Business Daily indicated that the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) was largely unaffected, gaining Ksh15.97 in investor wealth. The shilling also remained relatively stable, trading between Ksh120.20 and Ksh129.28. However, experts warned that the economic effects could become more evident in the coming days.

Catch Up Quick: Last Wednesday, several shops in Nairobi’s CBD counted losses after another wave of protests broke out following the death of Albert Ojwang' while in police custody. During the unrest, looters were seen making away with laptops from a shop that lost 30 devices. Some of the affected shops were still damaged when this week’s protests erupted.

Here are other top business headlines this morning;

Rogue Digital Lenders Resurrect Outlawed Debt-Shaming Tactics

Some digital lenders in Kenya have resumed aggressive and humiliating debt collection tactics, barely three years after regulations were introduced to curb such practices. Borrowers are reporting cases of debt-shaming, where lenders contact family, friends, or employers to pressure defaulters into repayment. One borrower with an outstanding loan of Sh1,720 was repeatedly harassed with threatening messages and abusive calls from Chapeo Capital, with the case reported to the Central Bank of Kenya.

The resurgence of these outlawed tactics comes despite strict rules under the Digital Credit Providers Regulations, 2022, which prohibit harassment, threats, obscene language, or contacting third parties. Other lenders, including Whitepath, Rocketpesa, and Credit Watch, have also been linked to similar complaints. The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner can penalise offenders, but only the CBK has the authority to suspend or revoke a lender’s license, Business Daily reports.

Proposed Law to Block Political Allies from State Corporation Boards

The Cabinet has approved the Government-Owned Enterprises Bill, 2025, which aims to end the long-standing practice of appointing political allies to State corporation boards. The Bill disqualifies individuals affiliated with political parties in the last five years and those with conflicts of interest, introducing merit-based, independent board appointments.

According to The Standard, the reforms are designed to promote professionalism, transparency, and efficiency in State-owned entities. The move follows public criticism of political rewards through board appointments, including recent cases involving former Cabinet Secretaries.

Kenya Pushes Tech-Driven Reforms to Boost Tourism and Ease Travel

Kenya is implementing technology-driven reforms to enhance its tourism sector, improve traveller experiences, and strengthen regional connectivity. As part of wider African initiatives, the government plans to exempt all African citizens from Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements to ease intra-African mobility. A new centralised digital portal is also set to launch, aimed at consolidating travel options and offering curated services based on location, People Daily reports.

To reduce congestion at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya will introduce fast-track clearance systems, including E-Gates and upgraded infrastructure for baggage handling, road access, and other facilities. Authorities have also pledged to enforce strict anti-fraud measures for visa applications, with OTP verification and biometric checks to prevent fraudulent bookings.