Businesses that suffered losses during the anti-IEBC protests have vowed to remain operational, allaying rumours that a supermarket had hinted at moving out.
Estimates by the Kisumu County Business Coalition says that Kisumu’s economy lost Sh800 million during the last demonstrations when the town came to a total economic shutdown.
Tumaini and Naivas supermarkets that suffered physical losses were back in business on Tuesday, with managers maintaining that the retail stores would remain opened to clients as usual.
Tumaini supermarket was broken into and assorted goods stolen in the peak of the protests that turned violent, leaving one dead and over 20 nursing various injuries.
Jared Migwa, the stocks manager at the store said the retail shop lost goods.
He however, said the supermarket would not close shop.
All demonstrations have been banned as a select-committee was formed to address the stalemate.
Migwa said: “Going by the CCTV footages of the looters storming in, we have lost a lot but Tumaini remains opens and will serve our clients unless advised otherwise.”
Electronic goods were stolen at the supermarket.
Naivas manager Philemon Oyugi said: “police thwarted efforts by looters to gain entry into the main supermarket but they brought down the gate and took away nearly 100 filled gas cylinders.”
Other small business affected were taking stock of their losses with aims of resuming business.
Caroline Achieng had her Mpesa business stall dragged into the road and torched.
She however, said she would not close shop as a result of the protests.