What Is Happening to Popular Muhindi Mweusi Supermarkets as Reports of Empty Shelves Emerge

On October 20, 2026, X account holder Nyto P2P Mwangi claimed that several branches had closed after the supermarket allegedly struggled to pay suppliers. He named Kayole Junction, Umoja, Kariobangi South and Ruai among the affected outlets.

He also claimed that shelves at some of the remaining branches, including Mukuru and Saika, were almost empty. The allegations about supplier payments and the circumstances surrounding the reported closures had not been independently verified.

“The owner of Muhindi Mweusi supermarkets is shutting down one branch after another after he was unable to pay suppliers. Apparently, the General Manager had opened his own parallel stores and was directing all the stock and supplies to those stores,” he said.

In a separate Facebook post, Sijenyi K’Sijenyi reported that the Muhindi Mweusi branch in Chokaa, along Kangundo Road, was nearing closure, with shelves nearly empty as the remaining stock was sold.

The post also alleged that a landlord had visited to collect rent but closed the entrance after failing to find anyone to attend to him.

On October 16, Jonte Amani also posted about the Chokaa branch, claiming it had closed because of low sales.

He attributed the reported business difficulties partly to increased taxes, although the claims had not been independently verified.

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“It is very sad! This Muhindi Mweusi supermarket in Chokaa has closed because sales were low, to the point that they were struggling. But Kasongo has increased taxes, causing many businesses in Kenya to close.”

Thika Thika, a verified Facebook group, reported that the Muhindi Mweusi outlet in Witeithie shut down a few days before posting.

The account said the reasons for the closure remained unclear, citing unverified claims that the premises could be undergoing renovations or making way for another supermarket.

Meanwhile, Asif Gaya claimed on X that Otomatt Supermarket Ltd had acquired Muhindi Mweusi. The information gathered did not independently verify the acquisition claim.

“Otomatt Supermarket Ltd has acquired Muhindi Mweusi. Established in 2009 as a single retail outlet in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi, Muhindi Mweusi subsequently expanded to more than 15 branches across areas including South B, Tassia, Kayole, Umoja, Pipeline and Athi River,” he said.

Muhindi Mweusi Supermarket began as a small neighbourhood retail outlet in Mukuru kwa Njenga in 2009, in Nairobi’s Embakasi area, before expanding into a chain of about 16 branches. The retailer built its business around affordable prices, basic household goods and convenient access for lower- and middle-income shoppers.

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Under the management of John Muitiriri, the supermarket grew from a business associated with informal neighbourhood retail into a more established retail brand. Muitiriri served as chief executive officer of Muhindi Mweusi Supermarket Ltd from March 2024 to July 15, 2026.

In December 2024, the retailer opened its 14th branch in Dagoretti. The outlet occupied approximately 15,000 square feet and was described as a modern store, marking a shift from the supermarket’s earlier neighbourhood-store image.

At the time, Muitiriri said the chain had 13 locations, more than 1,000 employees, annual turnover exceeding US$45 million, and about 1.8 million customers per month.

The supermarket continued expanding its branch network, opening an outlet in Athi River in November 2025, bringing its reported total to 16.

Other locations associated with the chain include Mukuru kwa Njenga, Pipeline, Transami, Tassia, Kayole, Chokaa, Umoja, Kariobangi South, Witeithie, South B, Dagoretti and Soweto in Nairobi.

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Daisy Moraa is an all-round journalist at The Kenya Times, covering education, business, politics, and health. She specializes in storytelling, news reporting, and content creation, with experience across both mainstream and digital media platforms. She actively champions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on mental health awareness and sustainability. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Journalism from Rongo University. She can be reached at [email protected].

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