Quickmart supermarket has strongly denied claims that several people were killed at one of its Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) establishments during the intense June 25 protests.
In a statement released on Thursday, Quickmart confirmed that two of its branches, specifically OTC in Nairobi CBD and another in Ruiru, had experienced break-ins and property damage. However, the supermarket explicitly stated that no casualties or fatalities were reported in the fracas at either location.
The clarification came amidst widespread and alarming online reports, fueled by images of police officers surrounding the OTC branch in downtown Nairobi, suggesting that bodies were being collected from the premises. These reports had sparked fears among the public that staff or customers might have been injured during the chaos. Quickmart moved swiftly to reassure the public, emphasizing that the security of its staff, customers, and the community remains its top priority.
“Quickmart notes that two of our branches in OTC and Ruiru were affected during yesterday’s demonstrations,” the statement read. “Contrary to misleading information circulating on digital platforms, we wish to assure the public that no staff, customers, or any other individuals were injured or deceased at the two outlets.”
As a result of the break-ins, Quickmart stated that all necessary measures were being taken to resume services swiftly, appealing for the understanding and support of its shoppers and staff. Customers of the affected branches were advised to utilize their nearest alternative Quickmart branches in the interim.
This denial from Quickmart follows earlier concerns raised by popular activist Hanifa Adan, who decried receiving multiple messages from concerned protestors near the OTC branch. “What’s going on at Quickmart? Goodness,” she wrote on X, accompanying her post with screenshots of messages. In these screenshots, protestors relayed fears of a potential cover-up of bodies at the branch, claiming police officers rapidly dispersed them from the scene. One protestor even alleged that at least 30 bodies were being retrieved from the premises and that they had been barred from entering.
The clarification from Quickmart comes just hours after Amnesty International Kenya confirmed at least 16 fatalities nationwide from the June 25 commemorative protests, which marked the one-year anniversary of the 2024 anti-finance bill demonstrations.