China Square Announces Temporary Closure of Mall

Photo collage of China Square a shopping hub inside UniCity Mall
Photo collage of China Square, a shopping hub inside UniCity Mall, which is owned by Kenyatta University.
Photo/Kenyatta University

China Square Limited announced temporary closure on Sunday February 26, to allow the owners re-evaluate their business model.

The shopping center added that the closure would enable them get a new plan to serve their customers better.

"This decision has been made to allow us to re-evaluate and replan our company strategy, in order to better serve our customers and meet their needs," China Square announced.

It also detailed plans to collaborate with local traders in their new strategy. Defending the move, the one stop shopping centre maintained that the move was key to integrating with the community.

File photo of the the facade of China Square, a shopping hub inside UniCity Mall along Thika Super Highway
File photo of China Square's facade, a shopping hub inside UniCity Mall along Thika Super Highway.
Nairobi Goat

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope that you will understand our need to take this action," the notice read in part.

"Our commitment to providing you with the highest level of service remains as strong as ever," it added.

However, the one stop shopping mall announced plans to reopen on Monday February 27.

The mall on UniCity, built by Kenyatta University, sparked conversation on various social media platforms. Kenyans lauded the mall, arguing that it stocked different products on affordable prices.

Others argued that it had revived UniCity which Kenyatta University constructed, to help them raise more revenue.

However, Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria revealed plans to lease the space to local traders on Friday February 24.

"I have today given an offer to Prof. Wainaina the VC Kenyatta University to buy out the lease for China Square, Unicity Mall and hand it over to the Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthurwa and  Eastleigh Traders Association," his statement read in part.

"We welcome Chinese investors to Kenya as manufacturers, not traders," he insisted.

A photo collage of showing the front facade of the China Sqaure Mall along Thika Road (left) and a photo of Trade CS Moses Kuria addressing a past conference.
A photo collage showing the front facade of the China Square Mall along Thika Road (left) and a photo of Trade CS Moses Kuria addressing a past conference.
Moses Kuria