Nakumatt indefinitely suspends operations at its Ukay supermarket over flooding incident

Water flowing through aisles at the Nakumatt Ukay branch. Nakumatt Supermarkets have indefinitely suspended their operations at the Ukay branch in Westlands following flooding incident on Saturday.(PHOTO: COURTESY)

Nakumatt Supermarkets have indefinitely suspended their operations at the Ukay branch in Westlands following flooding incident on Saturday.

Regional Operations and Strategy Director Thiagarajan Ramamurthy said following the temporary suspension of operations, Nakumatt Highridge Supermarket, will now operate, as a 24-hour outlet, to meet the immediate customer needs within the Westlands, Parklands Business districts and their environs.

"Arising from the flash flooding challenges experienced in parts of Nairobi and specifically at the Ukay Centre shopping mall in the Westlands business district, last night (Saturday), Nakumatt Holdings, wishes to confirm the temporary suspension of operations at Nakumatt Ukay Supermarket," he said.

The supermarket previously operated on a round the clock basis, at the Ukay Centre Ground and Mezzanine floors.
Ramamurthy said they have also adjusted the operating times at Nakumatt Westgate and that customers there will enjoy an extended opening hour regime, with a daily branch opening at 7am and closing at midnight, with immediate effect.

"Further, we are closely collaborating with our Ukay Centre landlords among other stakeholders who are onsite assessing the situation. We sincerely regret the inconvenience occasioned to all our stakeholders and commit to provide further details progressively."

Flooding occasioned by heavy rains on Saturday spoilt goods valued at millions of shillings at the supermarket. The floods also affected at least ten cars that were parked outside the mall. No injury was reported in the incident that happened on Saturday afternoon.

The circulation of the photos showing the extent of the damages caused a storm among those online with some calling for demolition of the mall as it is near a riparian.