Saboti parliamentary aspirant Thomas Kwalia has strongly condemned incidents of hooliganism and looting witnessed in Kitale on Saturday during the Niko Kado Initiative.
Kwalia termed the chaos a worrying trend of politically instigated violence, warning that such actions undermine democratic processes and threaten economic stability in the region.
“Today we witnessed a wave of hooliganism and looting in town. This is not what we need as a people. What the youth need is the voter’s card, not violence,” he said.
The Saboti MP hopeful revealed that several youths sustained injuries during the unrest, alleging that some had been mobilised from informal settlements to cause disruption.
“Some youths were injured in the fracas, and it is unfortunate that they were mobilised from the ghettos to engage in destruction. Businesses are people’s livelihoods and must be protected,” Kwalia added.
He called on security agencies to take swift and decisive action against those responsible, stressing the need to safeguard both traders and residents.
“I call on the security apparatus to take firm action against those responsible. We cannot allow lawlessness to take root in our town,” he stated.
His sentiments were echoed by Titus Kilongi, the Trans Nzoia County Chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who said the violence had left traders counting heavy losses and instilled fear among investors.
Speaking on behalf of the business community, Kilongi noted that the unrest severely disrupted operations within the central business district, with nearly half of the businesses affected.
“Almost half of the businesses in the CBD have been affected. Many have been destroyed, and those who tried to protect their property were attacked,” he said, estimating losses at not less than KSh100 million.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for political tolerance and heightened security in Trans-Nzoia County, as leaders urge youth to shun violence and participate in nation-building through peaceful and democratic means.
