Richard Muteti Decries Destruction of Small Businesses Amid Protests, Urges Government Action

By John Kariuki

Richard Muteti, the Chief Executive Officer of the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises (CMSEO-EA) the apex body representing small business organizations in the East African Region and the Jua Kali Sector head, has sounded the alarm over the devastating impact that recent demonstrations have had on Kenya’s small business sector. Speaking after widespread unrest on Friday, Muteti described the situation as a major setback for the country’s economic backbone.

Small businesses have borne the brunt of the protests, Muteti lamented. What we witnessed yesterday was not only the destruction of property, but the erosion of livelihoods for thousands of traders who depend on daily operations to survive.

From looted kiosks to vandalized stalls and disrupted supply chains, micro and small enterprises, many of which are family run, suffered heavy losses. Muteti is now calling on the government to intervene urgently with recovery measures to protect the sector from collapse.

He urged authorities to consider providing emergency support to affected businesses, including tax relief, and fast tracked access to affordable credit. He also proposed the creation of a rapid response taskforce to assess the damage and offer immediate assistance to traders on the ground.

These entrepreneurs are not just statistics. They are mothers, fathers, and youth trying to make an honest living.

While acknowledging the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Muteti emphasized that protests must not be allowed to degenerate into violence and lawlessness. He appealed for restraint from both demonstrators and security agencies and urged them to safeguard lives and property.

In addition to emergency measures, Muteti called for a broader national conversation to address the root causes of public discontent, including unemployment, the high cost of living, and governance frustrations.

He stressed that the future of Kenya’s economy depends largely on how the micro and small enterprise sector is supported during such times of upheaval.

If we continue to let our traders suffer without protection, we risk undermining not only their businesses, but also the foundation of our national economy, Muteti warned.

Muteti’s voice adds to growing calls for dialogue, unity, and sustainable solutions to safeguard the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans.