NASA protestors in Nairobi. [Photo/ P. Mchizi]
Today’s demonstrations by NASA supporters against IEBC in Nairobi turned out to be an outing for massive looting. One amateur video, which has gone viral, clearly shows the NASA protestors invade a restaurant — Antonio’s Grill — and steal soft drinks in crates. Onlookers were surprised that the demonstrators, who have been claiming that their protests are peaceful, even women take part in the looting, which has continued to cripple small businesses, thereby sabotaging the economy. The fast-moving protestors also vandalise cars, which they have been doing for weeks now, making the Nairobi city centre inaccessible and ungovernable. Siaya Senator James Orengo has said that the anti-IEBC demonstrations, which have been having three days a week, will be staged daily from next week. Economists and businesspeople have warned that the protests are badly impacting on the economy, adding that if they are not stopped, the country may witness massive job losses and closing down of businesses. Already, International organisations, such as the United Nations and CHAN, have pulled out of hosting their events in the country, citing the current tension and uncertainty. In NASA strongholds, the often violent protests always bring a busy town into a standstill. This comes after NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga withdrew his candidature from the rerun against President Uhuru Kenyatta that has been set for October 26, 2017.At the moment, President Kenyatta is likely to face Dr Ekuro Aukot, of the Third Way Alliance, after the High Court ruled that he should be included in the race.