El-Matt Supermarket became the first ever one-stop store to set up shop in Mandera county when it opened up its doors on Tuesday to the delight of local residents.
“I am happy that at last, we have a supermarket in Mandera. Previously, the nearest one was in Wajir, about 400 kilometres away,” stated local resident - Halima Ahmed revealed to The Daily Nation.
The supermarket's financier and former Mandera Member of County Assembly (MCA) - Hussein Ali Haji stated that the new retail store had cost approximately Ksh70 million to set up.
“The whole project starting from construction to stocking has consumed Ksh70 million but I am optimistic it is a worthy venture,” he asserted.
Mr Haji affirmed that the new store would prove to be vital in serving the locals who previously lacked a one-stop shop.
“We are experiencing a rapidly increasing population in Mandera due to devolution and I thought it was a good idea to start something that will provide all that is needed under one roof," he revealed to The Business Daily.
Local residents were jubilant as they previously had to travel for over 350 kilometres to Wajir just to access a similar store.
“I have never seen such a shop in my entire life but I am happy and excited because I just found all I needed inside there,” a resident - Haji Hussien affirmed to The Daily Nation
The new supermarket, which reportedly seats on half an acre piece of land, is expected to create 21 job posts for county residents according to initial projections, with a target of 200 customers per day.
El-Matt supermarket would reportedly provide laundry, bakery and cafeteria services on top of availing household and food products.
Mr Haji went on to emphasize that the supermarket had contracted resident farmers to supply fresh farm produce such as kales, mangoes, onions, and lemons.
