Trade CS Moses Kuria Wants China Square to Exit the Kenyan Market

Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria wants the now popular China Square on Thika Road to exit the Kenyan market.

Through Twitter on Friday night, Kuria said he has made an offer to buy out the lease for the Chinese retailer whose shop is located at the Unicity Mall built by Kenyatta University.

“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 l and Eastleigh Traders Association,” Kuria noted.

He added: “We welcome Chinese investors to Kenya but as manufacturers not traders.”

China Square, a one-stop mall that opened to the public in January, has attracted a mass of shoppers due to the relatively low prices of its goods and products.

The new hub has stocked a wide range of products including stationery, furniture, home decoration items, cleaning supplies, hardware store, and electrical appliances, among others.

"I saw China Square in Tiktok. Everyone seemed to be reposting those videos. I was curious to understand what this place was all about, where it was and the prices. All I can say is, I'm not disappointed," Shamim Mohammed, a shopper said on social media.

But some Kenyans have raised concerns that China Square may push local small-scale traders out of business.

"Just as I was readying for the Business Bay Square (BBS), Eastleigh Mall, boom, China Square is popping out. Will Gikomba survive this? How will the CBD shops or other small shops sustain it?" a social media user posed.