A dispute between Kenyan traders and Chinese investors who established the China Square market in Nairobi has prompted Wu Peng, director-general of African Affairs in the Chinese Foreign Ministry, to advocate for a "non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory investment environment."
China Square, located in the UniCity Mall at Kenyatta University, is a popular one-stop shopping destination on Thika Road because it offers a wide range of goods under one roof at reasonable prices, drawing crowds of shoppers.
Local company owners have complained that the centre is harming their operations, prompting Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria to denounce the centre.
According to Kuria, Chinese investors are welcome in Kenya, "but as producers, not traders," and the shopping centre's building should be offered to local merchants as a result.
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Korir Sing'Oei, principal secretary for foreign affairs, weighed in on the discussion and stated that given Kenya's non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory investment framework, no investor operating legally in the nation should be alarmed.
The country's investment regime is non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory, according to the PS; therefore, no legitimate investor—regardless of nationality—should be concerned.
The Chinese representative responded by praising Sing'oei's comments. He emphasized the need for such a system for solid bilateral ties and expressed optimism that, in the end, the two nations would reach an amicable agreement.
"I appreciate @SingoeiAKorir's stance. Establishing healthy bilateral practical cooperation requires an environment for investment that is both non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory. By working together, #China-#Kenya collaboration would better serve the interests of both peoples, Peng wrote in a tweet on Monday.
Lei Cheng, the owner of China Square, reLei Cheng, the owner of China Square, received an offer on Saturday from CS Kuria to establish a manufacturing facility in Kenya and work on a distribution alliance with small-scale vendors in Gikomba, Nyamakima, Eastleigh, Kamukunji, Muthurwa, and River Road.
"Today, I made the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University an offer to purchase out the lease on China Square at Unicity Mall and transfer ownership to the Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthurwa, and Eastleigh Merchants Association. In a tweet, he said, "We warmly welcome Chinese investment to Kenya as producers, not merchants.
The CS moved responsibility onto former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, raising concerns about why he authorized work visas for the Chinese traders while serving in that position.
China Square announced its temporary closure on Sunday in response to the uproar to "re-evaluate and re-plan our firm strategy, to better serve and meet our customers' expectations."
In a statement released on Saturday, the store said it was "also exploring the potential for partnering with local traders to boost our services and better connect with the community."
On January 29, China Square was opened. Since then, people have rushed to the store to purchase clothing, gadgets, household goods, and other goods that are undoubtedly cheaper on the streets of Nairobi.
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