Nakumatt, once a leading supermarket chain in Kenya

Nakumatt, once a leading supermarket chain in Kenya, had a significant presence in Nairobi County. At its peak, the retailer operated multiple branches across the city, catering to diverse customer needs. However, due to financial challenges, many of these outlets have since closed. As of 2019, Nakumatt maintained four branches in Nairobi:

1. Nakumatt Prestige: Located along Ngong Road, within Prestige Plaza, this branch served customers in the Kilimani and Ngong Road areas.
2. Nakumatt Lavington: Situated at Lavington Curve, this outlet catered to shoppers in the Lavington and surrounding neighborhoods.
3. Nakumatt Embakasi: Found in the Embakasi area, this branch served residents and businesses in the eastern parts of Nairobi.
4. Nakumatt Mega: Located on Uhuru Highway, the Mega branch was one of Nakumatt’s flagship stores, offering a wide range of products to customers.

It’s important to note that the status of these branches may have changed since 2019. For instance, the Mega branch on Uhuru Highway downsized to a smaller space adjacent to the proposed Carrefour Mega.

Additionally, Nakumatt previously operated other branches in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), including:

• Nakumatt Lifestyle: This branch was located at Hazina Towers on Monrovia Street.
• Nakumatt Haile Selassie: Situated along Haile Selassie Avenue, opposite the Technical University of Kenya.
• Nakumatt Ronald Ngala: Located on Ronald Ngala Street.
• Nakumatt Development House: Found on Moi Avenue.

However, these CBD branches were closed over time due to various challenges, including rent arrears and financial difficulties. For example, the Nakumatt Lifestyle branch was closed in December 2017 after the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) obtained court orders to evict Nakumatt over rent arrears amounting to KSh 73 million.

Given the dynamic nature of the retail industry and Nakumatt’s financial challenges, it’s advisable to verify the current operational status of any specific branch before planning a visit