- 513 views
Struggling Kenyan retail chain Nakumatt is counting losses of up to Sh200 million after its stock was looted by residents following a controversial eviction from one of its outlets in Nairobi.
Auctioneers led by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and security officers stormed Nakumatt's branch located at the Hazina Trading Centre on Sunday morning and removed all items from the shelves.
The auctioneers reportedly hired about 120 youth, who loaded merchandize into several lorries and dumped them at the retailer’s headquarters on Mombasa Road, Nairobi, granting looters an opportunity to cart them away.
Atul Shah, the retailer's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said the raiders broke into the store a few minutes to 12am, took stock from the shelves and loaded them into 12 trucks.
“The security guards called me and told me that the people there were accompanied by Administration police officers."
"He said they were issuing contracts for people to sign outside, I called the Central Police Station but they could not act immediately since there were other police officers there,” Mr Shah said.
Looters arrived at Nakumatt head offices and made away with the stock which included electronics, foodstuff, bicycles, clothing and other items. While some used the chain’s trolleys and carts to carry whatever they could, others hired taxis and motorcycles to ferry the loot as they celebrated “the free Easter” goodies.
Most of the looters hailed from the Mukuru slums and neighbouring estates.
“There was no court order to evict us or prior warning. This came without our knowledge and we have decided that we will take legal action against NSSF for the destruction of property."
"This is illegal and apart from repossessing the premises we had rented, we will sue,” Mr Shah said.
Central Police Station OCPD said the auctioneer, NSSF head of Security, Samuel Omondi, who led the eviction had been arrested.
“They are in our custody and we are trying to find out what orders they were acting upon, before we can arraign them in court on Tuesday,” Thuku said.
Workers at the store said the auctioneers removed all the stock and dismantled the shelves before leaving.