Nakumatt holdings
has
closed down Nakumatt Ukay in Westlands following demolitions of Ukay centre in which it was housed.
Administrator Peter
Kahi
on Friday said they had removed most of the stock within the building
valued at more than Sh60 million.
Efforts to clear the remaining
fixed furniture and fittings are ongoing.
"Nakumatt holdings wishes to officially confirm that the former Nakumatt Ukay has closed its doors. This follows the partial demolition of Ukay centre that has housed the branch for the last 25 years,"
Kahi
said.
He added, "The stocks retrieved from the branch have been transferred to other Nairobi branches including Nakumatt Mega, Nakumatt Prestige, Nakumatt Lavington and Nakumatt Embakasi. As part of our recovery strategy, I wish to encourage our loyal shoppers to visit us at any of these branches and enjoy the Nakumatt hospitality and retail".
Kahi said the retail will
honour
its obligations to all of its suppliers
and related stakeholders as per existing contractual
agreements.
The multi-agency team handling Nairobi's regeneration started demolishing Ukay Centre in Westlands early on Friday morning, about a day after its owners went to court to prevent the destruction.
The retailer, which grew from a mattress shop in a rural town to have branches across Kenya and East Africa, was forced to shut more than a dozen outlets last year as it struggled to repay its suppliers, landlords and other creditors.
Currently, the company has only six branches
in operation after the closure of Nakumatt Ukay.
CBD Chief Julius Wanjau, who is in charge of the operation, said they were not served with the court order that Ukay owners claim to have obtained.
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Earlier on, owner Atul Shah told journalists that the demolition
of Ukay is a setback to its recovery plan.
Shah said the goods in the branch belonged to suppliers whom they owe about Sh25million.
He said the branch also owes furniture suppliers
some Sh125 million.
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