Liquor Store Owner Seeks Ksh 4.5 Million From Uchumi Over Unlawful Eviction For China Square Branch

A liquor store operator, Dominic Mwangi, is seeking Ksh 4.5 million in compensation from Uchumi Supermarkets after he was allegedly unlawfully evicted from the retailer’s Lang’ata Hyper branch.

Mwangi, who runs Grand Liquor Suppliers & Esteem Gas Supplies, claims that his business was removed to make way for a new China Square branch despite a court order prohibiting such actions.

In May 2024, a court injunction was issued on Mwangi’s behalf, restricting Uchumi from leasing out the premises until a hearing regarding his eviction had taken place.

However, Mwangi contends that Uchumi ignored the court order by leasing the space to China Square, a growing retail chain that has invested Ksh 600 million in the property due to its prime location on Lang’ata Road.

Mwangi is demanding compensation of Ksh 4.5 million, which includes Ksh 300,000 in monthly rent starting from June 7 and an additional Ksh 3.6 million for a year’s worth of rent.

He argues that this amount covers his business losses and rent following what he describes as an unlawful eviction.

Furthermore, Mwangi has requested the court to hold Uchumi’s CEO, Lawrence Ngao, and chairman, John Karani, accountable for disregarding the court order, and is seeking their imprisonment for up to six months.

This case highlights the tension between business operators and property managers when court orders are ignored, raising questions about the enforcement of legal protections for small businesses.

If the allegations are proven, this could result in serious legal and financial consequences for Uchumi, which is already navigating its financial struggles in the competitive retail market.

Meanwhile, China Square’s rapid expansion adds another layer of complexity to the case, as its future operations at the disputed location might be jeopardized pending the outcome of the legal battle.

This case poses the importance of upholding court orders and respecting the rights of all parties involved in commercial leasing agreements, especially amid an increasingly competitive retail environment.