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.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope that you will understand our need to take this action. “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 announcement comes after claims that China Square has driven Kenyan traders out of business with lowly priced goods.
The mall, located next to Kenyatta University is said to be a hub for products and businesses, selling everything from electronics to clothing.
China Square gained attention for creating a versatile shopping centre that some social media users claimed was challenging the dominance of Eastleigh, Kamukunji, and Dubois Road in the Nairobi Central Business District.
Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has announced that he has given the go-ahead for the buyout of the lease given to China Square, a newly opened store at Kenyatta University’s Unicity Mall in Nairobi.
However, Kuria’s tweet suggests that he believes that Chinese investors should focus on manufacturing in Kenya, rather than trading.
“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 & Eastleigh Traders Association. We welcome Chinese investors to Kenya but as manufacturers not traders,” Kuria said.
Buying out the lease means paying the current tenants or leaseholders a sum of money in exchange for terminating their lease agreements, after which the properties would be transferred to the local traders.
By offering to hand over the lease of China Square and Unicity Mall to local traders’ associations, he seemed to be advocating for a more localized approach to commerce in Kenya.
Kuria also blamed former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i over China Square’s operations in Kenya.
Kuria claims the former Interior CS is the one who issued permits to Chinese traders at the mall.
“Dear Fred Okengo Matiangi. Why did you issue work permits to the Chinese traders at China Square at Unicity?” he posed on Twitter.
Dear Fred Okengo Matiangi. Why did you issue work permits to the Chinese traders at China Square at Unicity ?
— CS Moses Kuria (@HonMoses_Kuria) February 25, 2023
Kuria’s offer has already generated a lot of discussion on social media, with some praising his commitment to supporting local traders, while others are questioning the feasibility of his proposal.
READ ALSO: China Square Location, Reviews, Contacts and Photos
Check out the reactions below.
Imagine thinking that you can survive without China products. You probably tweeted this from a device made in China and you think Chinese trading in Kenya is a problem! Poor policy. We need Chinese both as traders and manufacturers.
— Mutie Mule (@mutiemule) February 25, 2023
https://twitter.com/tonyalexirungu/status/1629412278473826304?s=46&t=VRB_DSIA3WdzRMMsPJE1Jg
Where were the traders from Kamukunji etc when the Unicity was lying idle?
— Dr Birah (@BirahKevin) February 24, 2023
China Square set to close tomorrow to investigate claims that it disadvantages Kenyan traders out of business at the expense of Chinese counterparts who are selling at low prices as they import their own goods. Trade CS wants Paul Wainaina to buy the building.
This is the time. pic.twitter.com/oU8Ps6m6g4
— EMC (@emccounty028) February 25, 2023
https://twitter.com/branicemercy/status/1629548123084279811?s=46&t=VRB_DSIA3WdzRMMsPJE1Jg
Make it make sense to me. Are we seriously shutting down China Square cause their items are not overpriced by scrupulous selfish business owners? Y'all play too much!
— Karen Wanjiku HSC (@WanjikuHSC) February 25, 2023
The solution to China Square is not to close or remote control the prices! It is the government to find out why consumers have been buying the same commodities at exploitative prices.
China Square should open branches all over the country… pic.twitter.com/rSb1RLoitI— MAJIMAJI (@MajimajiKenya) February 25, 2023
CS Moses Kuria has advised KU VC prof. Wainaina to buy back the lease of China Square in favour of local businesses. That's a step in the right direction! Buying back the whole country from China, one mall at a time.
— Dr. King'ori (Shaman) (@Dr_Kingori) February 25, 2023
As we kick out China Square, why not kick out Diageo so that we manufacture Kibao, Java and Artecaffe leave for Kenchic, Shell leaves for Nock, Goodlife goes back to Mimosa? The intention is good, but the method is wrong. Let’s enable Kenyans not fight foreigners. pic.twitter.com/6JoWQf6yB6
— Edwin H. Dande (@ehdande) February 25, 2023
Kenyans want quality products from China Square not counterfeit products from Nyamakima extortionists and thieves. China Square is a good thing and more China Square style malls should be encouraged. pic.twitter.com/5WDBo7bWda
— YANO (@_Yanoh) February 25, 2023
If we close down China Square and chase away the owner who gave poor Kenyans alternative competitive options to consumer goods, will we be genuine and extend the BAN to white-owned enterprises in Naivasha, Nanyuki, Malindi and the foreign-owned BANKS?
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) February 25, 2023
Nyamakima Traders like Priscilla are whistling on Tiktok and asking to meet the Sakaja for lunch.
While China Square are on the same Tiktok marketing their products.
Nyamakima people would have instead marketed their own products too but instead, want China Square closed
— Waigoko Kimengemenge (@jrobah) February 25, 2023
If all Chinese coming to Kenya must only do manufacturing,
So must we all Kenyans in diaspora do domestic maids and marathon?
If nyamakima traders can’t compete with Chinese goods why not sell jua Kali wares where China square can’t compete?
Moses kuria wacha u Raila Odinga— Dida (@a_mzalendo) February 25, 2023
Personally I don't see the reason why the government is against the Chinese doing their thing with China Square. That store has been there for long,empty and then finally someone makes good use of it. It's not that they are stealing or undermining our businesses. So petty.
— C'sar (@e_oreyo) February 25, 2023
Unicity Mall has been a ghost town for years! Honestly it is very unfair of the Government to now want to come in and elbow out the Chinese in order to bring in Kenyan traders. Even the petrol station there is finally getting some action.
No, that is a bad & lazy move by Kuria.— Wanjiru wa Ndooro (@Gaddafess) February 25, 2023
