Kenyans on Twitter empathise with Nakumatt over ’empty shelves’

Nakumatt says it has restocked its branch at the Junction in Nairobi after pictures emerged showing empty shelves at two of its branches.

The first was Nakumatt Junction.

Nakumatt Junction pic.twitter.com/WRAX2Ut0ls

— Ory Okolloh Mwangi (@kenyanpundit) April 19, 2017

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Then Nakumatt Embakasi.

Nakumatt Embakassi few days go when I visited. Workers putting a brave face though @kenyanpundit pic.twitter.com/6bJ970oFvV

— #Ungovernable✊ – (@KenyanTaxPayer) April 19, 2017

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Some say the situation is the same across the border.

@kenyanpundit nakumatt Arusha is in a similar state, overpriced and empty aisles, very few customers.

— christopher sakwa (@slimsakwa) April 20, 2017

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But the troubled retail chain says all is well.

@MartinMutiga Hi Martin, we have replenished our stocks at #Nakumatt Junction. Please drop by. ^AM pic.twitter.com/x56s7XO57t

— Nakumatt (@Nakumatt) April 20, 2017

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@tarnodenis Hi Denis, we have toothpaste in all our stores. Kindly ask for assistance from our staff at the store. ^AM

— Nakumatt (@Nakumatt) April 20, 2017

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The retail giant has been facing hard times with South African rating agency GCR, estimating its gross debt at Sh15 billion in the period to February 2015 from Sh4.2 billion in 2011.

Weeks after closing its branch on Ronald Ngala in Nairobi citing low sales, Nakumatt was forced into a similar move in Uganda, this time over rent arrears.

Nakumatt supermarket in Katwe has been closed over accumulated rent arrears amounting to UGX297m, @ChimpReports reports #NBSUpdates pic.twitter.com/MN9tGWOwAe

— NBS Television (@nbstv) April 11, 2017

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Kenyans on Twitter have rallied behind Nakumatt, saying all should be done to ensure it doesn’t go under.

When you critically look at it, the Nakumatt issue isn't a laughing matter for our Kenyan Economy. It's a 50B biz. The impact will be felt!

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) April 20, 2017

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Not forgetting that most malls opening were depending on Nakumatt to be an anchor tenant. What next? Whats the ripple effect for real estate

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) April 20, 2017

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Nakumatt shouldn't be allowed to go down. If it does, over 4000 SMES might and will shut down. Now tabulate the number of jobs lost!

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) April 20, 2017

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Seeing jokes about Nakumatt failing is sad. So many people will lose their livelihoods in an already terrible job market.

— Catherine Wanjiru M (@CWanjiruM) April 20, 2017

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But some were not so kind.

@othigomartin @kenyanpundit They should close some branches temporarily as they look for funds. What’s the point of all those branches just to sell blueband kadogo??

— Linda Agola (@AgolaLinda) April 19, 2017

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I need two Nakumatt tees so me and and my girl can spend the whole weekend on their aisles whispering to customers THE END TIMES IS NEAR.

— Groovy Rowney. (@RowneyKelehi) April 20, 2017

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But some defended the retail chain.

@kenyanpundit @edkimani Why are we quick to assume its Nakumatt that is the problem and not colgate? Maybe its colgate being run out of the market.

— Gerald Langiri (@glangiri) April 19, 2017