Cost of violence is national, not just felt in Mt Kenya region

West End Supermarket in Free Area was vandalized and looted by suspected criminals hiding among protestors during the Saba Saba unrest in Nakuru City. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The images of burned shops, looted supermarkets and charred business premises from Mt Kenya during the Saba Saba demonstrations were heartbreaking. For many, it seemed like the violence targeted Kikuyus.

But here’s the truth many ignorant voices, including those in government, refuse to confront: the loss was not just for Mt Kenya. The loss was Kenyan. The destruction of businesses, whether owned by Kikuyus, Merus, Embus or anyone else, is not a regional wound. It is national haemorrhage.