After days of silence, China Square was brought to the public limelight on Monday, April 18, following a suit filed by over 120 traders seeking to stop its operations in the country.
The Kenyan traders filed the suit at the High Court seeking to halt China Square operations as well as those of other foreign firms accusing them of importing low-priced goods.
Under the auspices of the Indigenous Capital Protection Association, the traders also sued President William Ruto's administration, protesting the influx of foreign traders in the country.
They accused foreign nationals of taking over businesses including engaging in hawking, setting up stalls, renting shops and even selling their goods in their cars.
"Court to temporarily restrain the Director Kenya Citizens and Foreign Nationals Management Services from issuing Class D and G permits to foreign nationals, pending the determination of the petition," the petition read in part.
The traders named 40 other companies reportedly owned by foreign nationals. They implored the government to investigate them to establish if their operations affect Kenyan traders.
In their suit, the team moreover petitioned the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to investigate and file a report to ascertain whether China Square and other foreign-owned businesses are driving Kenyan traders out of the market.
By the time of this publication, China Square had not issued a response to a suit filed by the Indigenous Capital Protection Association.
China Square, located at Unicity Mall which is owned by Kenyatta University, resumed operations following successful talks with the government.
It had halted its operations indefinitely following protests staged by some Nyamakima traders who accused the outlet of predatory pricing. Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria castigated the outlet accusing it of entering the Kenyan market unlawfully.
Their goods worth Ksh50 million were seized at the mall by the Competition Authority of Kenya but were released after investigations were concluded allowing China Square to resume operations.
The resumption of operations was confirmed by the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce which appreciated the government for its efforts in ending the business rivalry.
"The Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce welcomes the good news on the resumption of operations of China Square this follows several engagements between the Kenya Government and the Chinese Community in Kenya to reach an amicable solution to the stalemate and cooperation," the statement read in part.
