Kenyan retailer Uchumi Supermarket has reopened two branches in Nairobi as part of efforts to revive operations after years of financial challenges that led to the closure of most of its outlets.
The reopened stores are located at Unicity Mall, near Kenyatta University, and Lang’ata Hyper, the company said on its official Facebook page.
“Uchumi is back—not just as a store, but as a story reborn,” the retailer said. “From generations that grew up with us, to a new one discovering us — this is your home of value, rising once more.”
Founded in 1976, Uchumi was once among Kenya’s leading supermarket chains but struggled in recent years with heavy debts, governance issues and cash flow problems, forcing the shutdown of multiple outlets.
The company is pursuing a turnaround under a court-supervised Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) aimed at restructuring its debts and repaying creditors.
For the financial year ended June 2025, Uchumi reported a profit of Sh8.8 million, compared with a loss of Sh49.7 million in 2024, with gains largely supported by rental income from tenants, including China Square at Unicity Mall.
The reopening of the two branches marks a cautious step in the retailer’s broader recovery plan as it seeks to rebuild its presence and regain consumer confidence.
