The Naivas Story 

A Journey To Market Leadership

Naivas the leading retailer in the country by financials and branch network entered the retail scene 30 years ago in July, 1990. One would be forgiven for thinking that the retail juggernaut has always existed. However, truth is, it has been three decades of transformations. 

The Beginning

Retail in Kenya is largely a family business affair and the founding of Naivas is no different. It is entrenched in familial ties.

In 1990, Tuskys supermarkets opened their first Nairobi outlet and the founder, the late Joram Kamau, decided to leave one of their business premises in Rongai Nakuru to 2 of his nephews, David Kimani and the Late Simon Mukuha.

This followed the two having diligently worked for their uncle in the store for several years. All the brothers had to do was pay for the stocks.

The store going by the name of Gitwe General Stores, was located in the rural town of Rongai in Nakuru County.

The two brothers were subsequently joined by their father, the Late Peter Mukuha, and started operations in their new business.

The Expansion

The 3 founding family members put in the hours and after four years in operations as they sought to expand the business.

Having experienced significant growth. In 1994, Rongai Self Service Stores became a two-location retailer with the opening of a second store at Elburgon, 10km north of Rongai.

It is with the expansion into the second outlet that another of the siblings joined the business, a sister, Linet Wairimu Mukuha.

1996

Two years later, in 1996, the retailer undertook three major steps, it made its entry into Naivasha town, shut down the pioneer store in Rongai and had the fourth sibling, a second sister, Grace Wambui Mukuha, join the business.

2001

Five years later in 2001, the retailer was ready to make an entry into the country’s capital. In order to fund this expansion, the second outlet in Elburgon was shut down and the first Nairobi outlet opened its doors in downtown along Ronald Ngala street.

2004

In 2004, the retailer experienced its first double store openings in a single year; first Machakos outlet in February and an estate outlet, Komarock, in October.

2005 - 2009

After having made an entry into Nairobi, the retailer once again decided to focus its expansion energies outside of Nairobi for the period between 2005 and 2009. By the end of that period, the outlet count stood at 10 outlets with 8 outside of Nairobi and 2 in the capital.

At the end of 2009, the retailer made a return into the city with the Eastgate branch located at Donholm estate and went into an aggressive estate and regional expansion drive.

2016

Since then and over the years, the retailer has introduced different store formats in an effort to serve all groups of shoppers but remain true to its brand promise of giving value for money.

The most notable store format is the foodmarket concept which was introduced in 2016 with its Kiambu Road outlet. It was not only a first for the retailer, but also a first in the East and Central Africa region.

The popularity of this store concept has not only necessitated the opening of more outlets bearing this format but also the redesigning of existing stores. The foodmarket outlets stand at 10 in number.

2019

In 2019, the express store format was also introduced targeting the convenient shopper.

As Of October , 2023, Over Thirty Years On, The Retailer Boasts Of 100 Outlets Countrywide.