Moses Kuria, the Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investment, recently approved the buyout of the lease given to China Square, a newly opened store at Kenyatta University’s Unicity Mall in Nairobi. The announcement of the store’s opening had gone viral on social media, and it was hailed as a versatile shopping centre that was challenging the dominance of Eastleigh, Kamukunji, and Dubois Road in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
However, in his tweet, Kuria expressed his belief that Chinese investors should concentrate on manufacturing in Kenya rather than trading. He proposed buying out the lease of China Square and Unicity Mall and handing them over to the Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthurwa & Eastleigh Traders Association, emphasizing a more localized approach to commerce in Kenya.
The Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthurwa, and Eastleigh Traders Associations, which Kuria mentioned in his tweet, are well-established organizations representing traders in Nairobi’s bustling markets. These markets are vital to Kenya’s economy, providing affordable goods and services to millions of people and supporting many livelihoods.
Kuria’s proposal has sparked a lot of discussions on social media, with some applauding his commitment to supporting local traders, while others question the feasibility of his proposal.
