Kisumu Mega City owner in Kitisuru shopping mall plan
The developers of Kisumu’s Mega City and Mega Plaza malls are set to build a Sh430 million shopping complex in Kitisuru targeting wealthy and middle-income residents. PHOTO | JACOB OWITI | NATION
What you need to know:
Shiloah Investments plans to construct the seven-floor mall on a 3.6 acre piece of land it acquired in the area.
The Kisumu investment firm has elaborate plans for the Kitisuru mall, with road expansions, underpasses for pedestrians and even bus stops set to be constructed to cater for the increased human and vehicular traffic in the area.
The developers of Kisumu’s Mega City and Mega Plaza malls are set to build a Sh430 million shopping complex in Kitisuru targeting wealthy and middle-income residents.
Shiloah Investments plans to construct the seven-floor mall on a 3.6 acre piece of land it acquired in the area.
Kitisuru residents currently buy their groceries at the Spring Valley shopping centre, while the Zen Garden is their nearest entertainment joint.
“The changes in living models and the creation of alternative neighbourhoods around the outskirts of the city has necessitated this kind of proposed development,” says Shiloah in a regulatory filing seen by the Business Daily.
“In this regard, the proposed project is specifically designed for middle and high-class clientele who need to enjoy the benefits of a commercial and recreational development with unique character and attractions.”
The mall, which will be 49,136 square metres in size and have 809 parking spaces, will house banks, food and beverage outlets, retail shops and children’s recreational areas.
It will also have office space, automotive shops and conferencing facilities.
“We secured the piece of land a while back in an area which we consider as prime and ready for this type of investment, it will be our first project in Nairobi,” said Mitesh Shah, one of the directors of Shiloah Investments in an interview.
Shiloah Investments has been in existence for about 15 years. It is made up of several investors who are not blood relatives.
Mr Shah said the company’s directors are yet to hold talks to secure an anchor tenant, adding this will only be done once they are given the approvals to start construction.
Mega City and Mega Plaza in Kisumu have Nakumatt Supermarket as their main tenants.
The Kisumu investment firm has elaborate plans for the Kitisuru mall, with road expansions, underpasses for pedestrians and even bus stops set to be constructed to cater for the increased human and vehicular traffic in the area.
“It is estimated that an initial total of 2,000 persons—both visitors and workers— will visit the mall daily and that this number will grow at an assumed rate of five per cent per year,” Shiloah Investment states in the filing.
“The facilities within this mall will likely operate for 18 hours a day and it is considered reasonable to spread public transport over a 12-hour period daily.”
Nairobi’s working class has increasingly been migrated to the periphery of the city, fuelling the construction of shopping malls in residential areas.
