Sh70m supermarket the first in Mandera

Mandera County’s first retailer, which its backer says cost Sh70 million to set up, opened Tuesday to a fanfare from residents who until now travelled to Wajir to shop in a supermarket.

El-Matt Supermarket becomes the first one-stop shop in the northern county that former MCA and proprietor Hussein Ali Haji says will provide easy access to goods.

The retailer is banking on the area’s growing population to sustain the business.

“We are having population increase in Mandera due to devolution and I thought it was a good idea to start something that will provide all that is needed under one roof… I wanted to bring home what we did not have in Mandera,” he said yesterday.

The supermarket sits on a 200m by 100m (half an acre)plot and has 24-hour security provided by police reservists.

“The whole project starting from construction to stocking has consumed Sh70 million but I am optimistic it is a worthy venture,” he added.

The supermarket will initially provide jobs to at least 21 residents with Mr Haji projecting expansion to provide more jobs.

“I am interested in creation of job opportunities and I look forward to increasing my workforce in future,” he said.

Apart from buying household and food products at El-Matt, customers will also enjoy laundry, bakery and cafeteria services at the facility.

The supermarket has contracted local farmers to supply fresh produce, including kales, mangoes, pawpaw, oranges, onions, lemons to a targeted 200 customers a day.

“I get my supplies from Nairobi and Mogadishu to ensure customers’ needs are met… I am observing rules when getting my supplies from Mogadishu,” he said.

Mr Haji served as MCA for Lagsure Ward between 2013 and 2017.