Nairobi lost nearly half of its revenue due to mass protests- Sakaja

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja says the county lost more than half of its revenue following yesterday's protests.

Speaking on Tuesday, March 21 during the launch of the County Rapid Result Initiative at City Hall in Nairobi, Sakaja blamed the demonstrations for the loss of revenue.

"We collected Sh30.3 million which is less than our revenue following the demonstrations. We are supposed to be hitting Sh70m to Sh80 million daily. What we managed to collect was less than half of what the county collects and this is because people could pay from their homes," he said.

The single business permit which normally is the largest source of revenue for the county with an annual target of Sh5.6 billion, brought in Sh2.9 million. This, Sakaja avers is because most businesses remained closed.

"Of the Sh30.3 million collected- Sh21 million was from land rates, Sh1 million from parking fees, and Sh2.9 million collected from single business permit."

On Monday while in Mombasa, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said that the country lost close to Sh2 billion as a result of the mass action.

"Quite a number of business people in Nairobi did not open their businesses due to fear of destruction of property and as a result, the country has lost about Sh2 billion which could be used to sustain the economy," said Gachagua.

Sakaja went ahead to warn all those who were caught on camera vandalizing public property that they would face the law.

"Those who took advantage of the protests and were caught on camera uprooting public infrastructure must be charged."

On Monday, March 20, Azimio leader Raila Odinga and other leaders took to the streets to protest on the high cost of living, and illegitimate appointments of government officers among other issues.