The battle lines for the soul of Nairobi’s economy have been drawn. In a stern rebuke to the political class, the Nairobi Business Community has issued a stark warning to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua: take your protests elsewhere, or risk collapsing the capital’s fragile commerce.

As political temperatures rise, the city’s traders are refusing to be the collateral damage of another power struggle. Nelson Githaiga, the uncompromising Chairman of the Nairobi Business Community, addressed the media today with a message that was equal parts plea and ultimatum. He urged the organizers of the planned "United Opposition" demonstrations to reconsider their strategy, specifically requesting that Gachagua hold his protests in Nyeri or Witima—the site of his recent alleged teargassing—rather than bringing the chaos to the streets of Nairobi.

"We Cannot Afford to Close"

The anxiety among traders is palpable. Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) is still recovering from the economic shocks of the past year, and the prospect of a 100,000-strong march to the Inspector General’s office has sent shivers down the spines of shopkeepers, matatu operators, and hawkers. "We respect the constitutional right to assemble," Githaiga stated, "but our right to earn a living is equally sacred. We cannot afford to close our shops for even a single day. Nairobi should not bear the economic brunt of political tensions originating hundreds of kilometers away."

The traders' fears are well-founded. Past demonstrations have often devolved into looting and vandalism, leaving small businesses with losses running into the millions. The business community has explicitly called upon the National Police Service to guarantee security, warning that any disruption to the supply chain or destruction of property will be met with fierce resistance from the traders themselves, who have previously formed vigilance groups to protect their premises.

• The Gachagua Factor: The former Deputy President, now a leading figure in the United Opposition, has promised to "bring the capital to a standstill" on Friday. His rhetoric appeals to his base but alienates the very hustlers he claims to represent in the city.
• The Security Void: Traders are also questioning the capacity of Inspector General Douglas Kanja to manage the crowds, especially after Gachagua accused the police chief of "going into hiding" to avoid a meeting.

A City on Edge

This standoff represents a critical juncture in Kenya’s protest politics. The business community, traditionally a silent majority, is finding its voice and asserting its power. They are demanding a decoupling of political expression from economic disruption. For them, the equation is simple: politics may be a game of thrones, but business is a matter of survival.

As Friday approaches, all eyes are on the streets of Nairobi. Will Gachagua heed the call of the traders, or will the capital once again descend into the teargas-choked chaos that has become all too familiar? The answer will determine not just the political future of the opposition, but the economic livelihood of millions.