In Kenya, protests and demonstrations have become frequent occurrences as people take to the streets to air their frustrations and call for change. While these protests provide a forum for expressing grievances and encouraging social advancement, they also have a big impact on the nation’s companies. In this blog, we’ll examine how the recent protests in Kenya have affected businesses and talk about coping mechanisms.
Operations disruption: Road closures, blockades, and other disruptions from demonstrations make it difficult for enterprises to conduct their operations without difficulty. It may be difficult for workers to get to their places of employment, and delivery of goods and services may be seriously hindered. Reduced productivity, missed deadlines, and financial losses for enterprises might result from this interruption.
Consumer Confidence Decline: Prolonged protests can reduce consumer confidence and lower economic activity. Customers may be hesitant to visit businesses in protest-affected regions, which could have an impact on foot traffic and sales. Additionally, protracted instability may foster a climate of uncertainty that prompts consumers to put off making purchases. This can have a negative impact on firms in a variety of industries.
Physical Infrastructure destruction: Demonstrations can become violent, causing vandalism and property destruction. Businesses that are close to protests run the risk of having their storefronts, offices, or manufacturing facilities physically damaged. In addition to causing financial losses, this also interrupts company continuity and makes recovery difficult.
Disruptions to the supply chain: Demonstrations can stop or delay the flow of goods and services, disrupting the supply chain. There may be transportation issues for distributors and suppliers, which could result in inventory shortages or production snags. If there are delays at ports or customs checks, businesses that depend largely on imported items may find it difficult to meet client demand.
Business reputation might be at stake during times of unrest, especially if it is thought that the company is supporting or opposing the protesting cause. Businesses must be proactive in controlling their reputations because social media platforms and news coverage have a considerable influence on public opinion. Negative feelings towards a company can result in customer boycotts, damage the reputation of the brand, and have long-term effects on profitability.
Getting Around in Tough Times:
Prioritize Employee Safety: During protests, keep workers safe and secure by keeping track on protest sites and avoiding tense areas. To lessen the effect on employees’ capacity to commute, think about creating remote work arrangements or flexible scheduling.
Diversify your supply chains by looking into other sourcing possibilities and keeping connections with several vendors to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions. In addition to ensuring a constant flow of products and services, this can also reduce the effects of localised disturbances.
Improve Communication Channels: Keep the lines of communication open with clients, partners, and staff. To effectively manage consumer expectations, be proactive in providing updates on business operations, any potential disruptions, and workarounds.
Consider modifying your marketing methods to reach clients through digital channels, concentrating on online sales and targeted advertising, during times of unrest. Utilize social media channels to interact with customers and highlight any safety precautions or alternate delivery methods that are available.
Participate in the Community: Events give businesses a chance to participate in the community and exhibit social responsibility. Think about contributing to causes that share the demonstrators’ concerns, making investments in regional projects, or having a conversation to resolve mutual issues.
While protests in Kenya have a significant impact on businesses, taking preemptive actions can assist lessen the impact and get through these trying times. Businesses can show resiliency and preserve stability by prioritizing staff safety, diversifying supplier chains, improving communication channels, modifying marketing plans, and interacting with the community. To ensure their long-term success among protests and demonstrations, businesses must closely watch the socio-political situation, keep informed, and adjust their plans as necessary.
