China Square temporarily closed after CS Kuria, local traders' uproar

Chinese retail supermarket, China Square Limited, has announced that it will be temporarily closed today (Sunday, February 26 2023).

The move to close the shop - located at the Kenyatta University's UniCity Mall along Thika Superhighway - comes a day after Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria gave the university a counteroffer to buy off the lease for China Square Limited and hand it over to Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthurwa and Eastleigh traders.

The owner of the business - Lei Cheng - says he has decided to close the store to "re-evaluate and re-plan our company strategy, in order to better serve our customers and meet their needs."

"We are also considering the possibility of cooperating with local traders to enhance our offerings and better integrate with the community," a statement from the company reads in part.

The statement adds: “We apologize 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, and we look forward to reopening on Monday, 27th February 2023 with a renewed focus on meeting your expectations.”

Kenyan traders have been up in arms against China Square Limited, faulting the company's business model.

According to the local traders, Cheng - a 37-year-old Chinese national - is pushing them out of the market by selling products half price.

On his part, Cheng says that the local traders have been exploiting Kenyans for so long and that his legitimate business only brought health competition in the market.