Speaking on behalf of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya, Makau Mutua stated on Monday that the China Square story is "detrimental" to Kenya's economy.
Mutua tweeted that the Square's owners must vacate if Kenya's trade is to flourish.
As a longstanding professor of international trade law, he added, "I don't want to get involved in an intra-UDA fight, but I think the phenomena of China Square is harmful in an underdeveloped economy and a corrupt state with a weak/thin regulatory framework like Kenya's."
Moses Kuria, the cabinet secretary for commerce and investment, sparked outrage by asserting that the Square's presence endangered local business owners.
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On February 24, 2023, Kuria made public that he had authorized Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wainaina to purchase Square's lease at the Unicity Mall and transfer ownership to the Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthurwa, and Eastleigh Merchants Association.
Yet, he added, "We welcome Chinese investment to Kenya as manufacturers, not dealers.
Lei Cheng, a Chinese businessman, informed the Square's patrons on Sunday that it had closed permanently as a result of CS Kuria's threats of deportation.
According to a statement from China Square, "As a supermarket, we are unable to handle the huge level of traffic, which has become a serious issue for the public safety of all our customers. We are deploying more security officers onsite."
The store also mentioned the need for adequate payment processing capabilities, which it stated had led to long lines that harmed customer experience.
CS Kuria's idea has now been criticized by specific traders, who will meet with Vice President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday to discuss their concerns.
Azimio La Umoja via Mutua joins several leaders in condemning the operation of China Square in the country, including the government led by trade cabinet secretary Moses who was the first leader to blame the mall process, citing that it has disadvantaged Kenyan small traders.
