On Monday, China Square, a shopping centre within Kenyatta University's UniCity mall, reopened.
After being closed for one week due to a standoff with Kenyan authorities, including Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, the store reopened to consumers.
In a news release on Monday, the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce said that the restoration of activities at China Square came after multiple meetings between the Kenyan government and the Chinese Community in Kenya to resolve the impasse amicably.
The Chamber anticipates that all firms will be treated equally and fairly across the board to guarantee a favourable business climate for everyone and foster social connections built on mutual trust and benefit. According to the Chamber of commerce, "We appreciate the Kenyan Government's support in enabling the Chinese Community to conduct business and contribute to Kenya's growth and development efforts by creating jobs and contributing to Kenya's tax revenue.
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Citizen Digital conducted a spot check to confirm that China Square had begun operations.
We arrived on Monday afternoon at about 1 pm and noticed some customers milling about the checkout area.
The store's interior seemed noticeably empty compared to the hectic days preceding its shocking demise.
Also observed manning the aisles and ascending and descending the stairs were several males of Asian origin.
"The return of the store makes me pleased. I was really unhappy in the decision to close, which I thought was unfair and unnecessary. I am grateful that the Kenyan government has given the store permission to carry on with its business as long as it complies with the law. The closure had a significant impact on many shoppers, and we are now relieved "a customer at China Square named Martha Kamotho told Citizen Digital.
The management refused to comment despite our requests.
The management of the business announced its closure on February 26. It stated that it was necessary to "re-evaluate and replan our corporate strategy to serve better and meet the needs of our customers."
The business got shut when the commerce minister Moses Kuria attacked China Square, claiming that foreign investors had created unfavourable competition for Kenya's small-scale business owners.
