The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Business operations in Kabarnet Town, the headquarters of Baringo County, remained largely uninterrupted on Thursday as the country marked the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z-led anti-Finance Bill protests.
Shops, hotels, and other businesses opened as usual, with calm prevailing across the town and allowing normal economic activities to continue throughout the day.
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Joyce Chepchieng, a Jua Kali trader, said business had been smooth since morning, noting that the peaceful environment enabled customers to shop without interruption.
“Business has been good here. I opened my shop at 8 a.m., and customers have been coming in throughout the day. People are peaceful, and we have not experienced any disturbances,” she said.
At the Kabarnet Municipal Market, traders also reported normal operations. Fresh vegetable vendor Margaret Talam said she had been serving customers since morning without witnessing any demonstrations.
“We thank God that business is continuing as normal. I have been selling vegetables the whole day, and there have been no protests around the market,” she said.
However, matatu operators experienced a sharp decline in passenger numbers as many travellers stayed away over fears linked to demonstrations in other parts of the country.
At the Kabarnet Municipal matatu terminus, several public service vehicles remained parked for hours due to the low turnout of passengers, particularly on the Kabarnet-Nakuru route.
Driver Enock Kiptoo said he had spent nearly seven hours waiting at the stage without making a single trip because there were not enough passengers to fill his vehicle.
According to Kiptoo, many travellers were reluctant to head to Nakuru, fearing they could be stranded in areas affected by the nationwide protests.
The reduced passenger numbers also affected operators on the Kabarnet-Eldoret and Marigat-Kabarnet routes, with drivers and touts lamenting significant income losses.
One of the affected drivers, Ernest Chebon, said the poor business had forced him to settle for a modest meal instead of his usual lunch.
“Today I’m having boiled maize for lunch, yet on a normal day I would afford a proper meal like ugali and meat,” he said.
Although Kabarnet and the rest of Baringo County remained peaceful throughout the day, security officers maintained a visible presence, patrolling the town to ensure law and order and protect businesses and property.
