The deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, has urged Raila Odinga's opposition to stop the ongoing anti-government protests because they are damaging the nation's economy.
Speaking in Mombasa on Monday, Gachagua asserted that the country had sustained losses of up to Ksh. 2b on the first day of the Azimio protests.
According to the DP, several business owners in Nairobi's CBD decided not to open their stores and businesses because they were concerned about theft and property damage following what happened in Kisumu, where the Azimio people looted chairs and food.
Because of the absence of activity in the CBD, the nation has lost around Ksh. 2 billion in business this morning. It is money that ought to have been going into the economy.
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Gachagua went on to say that it was regrettable that the Azimio leaders were planning protests when the country's economy was beginning to strengthen.
"These people are damaging our economy, so we're pleading with them to consider ending the chaos, intimidation, and unrest this afternoon. He said that we were receiving a lot of information from international financial players and other partners that the opposition's planned events were terrible for the economy, and the economy had begun to show signs of improvement.
However, he assured Kenyans that there are necessary measures to guarantee that no one's life or property is lost due.
I want to reassure Kenyans that President William Ruto has given the police inspector general specific instructions to protect people and property. The police presently govern the CBD. Neither fatalities nor property losses have occurred, he added.
"Since doing so is detrimental to the country, we ask Kenyans to resist being seduced to commit acts of violence and property destruction. Since we have a nation to govern, we want to ask those who are generating disruption to be good enough, according to the DP.
