Cooperative Bank ATM Looted During June 25 Protests
Cooperative Bank is counting losses after one of its ATMs was broken into during the June 25, 2025, protests that rocked several parts of the country.
The bank confirmed that two of its branches — in Githurai and Dagoretti — were affected during the nationwide demonstrations.
In a statement on Thursday, the bank said there were no injuries to any of their staff or customers but confirmed that one ATM suffered a cash loss.
“We advise that there were no injuries to any of our customers or staff, with minimal cash loss from one of the ATMs,” the statement read.
The bank said repairs had already begun and that the affected branches would resume full operations in the coming days. Customers were advised to use nearby branches in the meantime.
Across the country, many businesses remained closed on Thursday as owners assessed damages from looting and destruction caused during Wednesday’s protests. Nairobi was the most affected, but similar incidents were reported in Thika, Nyeri, Olkalau, Ongata Rongai, Othaya, Kikuyu, and Karatina.
The protests were held to mark the first anniversary of the June 25, 2024, demonstrations that saw young Kenyans storm Parliament in opposition to the Finance Bill 2024. This year’s protests turned chaotic, with looters and criminals infiltrating peaceful demonstrations.
At least ten people were killed in the latest unrest, with fatalities reported in Matuu, Nairobi, Ongata Rongai, Molo, and Olkalau. Many businesses in the CBD were left in ruins. Shops along Moi Avenue, Luthuli Avenue, Tom Mboya Street, River Road, and Ronald Ngala Street were broken into as police battled protesters in other parts of the city.
Kawangware and OTC also witnessed major destruction. The Quickmart supermarket near OTC and surrounding shops were looted. A hotel at the OTC roundabout, Moonstar Hotel, was set on fire, with smoke still rising from the building Thursday morning.
One devastated business owner said she had lost stock worth over Sh800,000. “I didn’t know this would happen. The government had assured us of security. I don’t know where to begin,” she said.
By Thursday morning, transport and business activity in Nairobi had begun to return to normal. On Wednesday, several roads were barricaded by police to keep protesters out of the city centre.
Police have since praised officers and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), General Service Unit (GSU), and various police divisions including Juja, Ruiru, and Githurai, for stopping what officials described as planned anarchy. Security teams intercepted large groups of protesters from Kiambu and Thika who were allegedly marching towards Nairobi’s key government installations, including City Hall, Parliament, and possibly State House.