Trade and Investment Cabinet Moses Kuria, on Thursday, March 2, announced plans to set up a shopping hub known as Kenya Square.
According to the CS, the hub would have 17 acres of reserved space for traders.
The former Gatundu South Member of Parliament, however, indicated that the traders would be required to sell only Kenyan products.
"Strictly for products produced in Kenya," a poster shared by Kuria read in part.
To access the spaces, traders would be required to book them in advance. Kuria insisted that the spaces would be reserved for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to spur the economy.
According to the poster, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Department of Business Reforms and Transformation and Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) would support the new initiative.
However, Kuria left traders in dilemma after failing to disclose when the hub would be opened and its location.
His announcement reached over 530,000 people and attracted over 1,200 Twitter responses.
Dennis Itumbi, Digital Strategists, lauded the Trade CS, noting that the initiative was key to promoting 'Buy Kenya, Build Kenya,' marketing tag.
Others praised Kuria, insisting that he was cultivating a culture of business competitiveness which was key to spurring development.
"We need such kind of competitiveness, honestly. Let's see whose will be cheaper," Austin Tunoi stated.
"How do we book waziri? Wonderful initiative," Wanjiku Thiga posed.
Social media users with various online businesses capitalised on the reaction to share the products and also express their willingness to support Kuria's initiative.
"We are ready to support any initiative that involves building Kenya," Shamim Kassim indicated.
However, Kuria was also faulted for allegedly crafting the name by copying China Square at Unicity Mall, owned by Kenyatta University.
"It would be naive to think that copy-pasting China Square will work for this. Be creative," a social media user challenged Kuria.
Others challenged Kuria to focus on improving the country's agricultural sector and contributing to the country's economic recovery.
"Instead of copying another country's model, start by adding value to our agricultural produce," Brian Oginga stated while arguing for the government to increase the supply of clothes produced by EPZ centres.
However, experts argued that the move would help President William Ruto to empower local traders and producers. The initiative was also touted to help in promoting Kenyan brands.
