The Nairobi City County government has ordered the immediate closure of all Naivas Supermarket outlets in the capital due to allegations of selling expired products and employing uncertified staff. This action followed a spot check by the Nairobi County Health Committee, led by MCA Maurice Ochieng, at the Naivas Moi Avenue branch, where expired yoghurts and other products without expiry dates were reportedly discovered.

The county officials also raised concerns about the health and safety of staff handling the products, asserting that many have not been tested or medically certified. The county government insisted that Naivas would only be allowed to reopen its branches once all staff members undergo testing and receive the necessary health certificates. The closure aims to facilitate a thorough investigation into the supermarket chain and its suppliers, ensuring compliance with public health standards.

Naivas Supermarket operates over 30 branches within Nairobi County, including locations in Kilimani, Lavington, Westlands, Lang’ata, Buruburu, and Kasarani. The closure poses a significant operational challenge for Naivas, potentially leading to job losses for hundreds of employees and substantial financial losses due to lost sales and the spoilage of perishable goods.

In response to these allegations and the closure order, Naivas Supermarket has vehemently denied the claims, asserting that they are false and misleading. The supermarket chain has assured the public that all its Nairobi outlets remain fully operational and compliant with both national and county health regulations. Naivas emphasized its commitment to maintaining stringent internal quality control and stock management systems across all branches to ensure product safety and compliance.

Naivas has also warned that it may pursue legal action against individuals or groups spreading what it considers harmful misinformation. The company clarified that no regulatory or health authority has closed any of its branches, and all stores adhere to standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Ministry of Health, and other relevant bodies.

Naivas further stated that it upholds a strict anti-bribery and corruption policy and will not succumb to extortionary tactics, implying that the allegations may have arisen from a refusal to engage in bribery. However, the retailer did not provide specific details regarding the alleged extortion attempts.

Despite the denial from Naivas, the Nairobi County Health Committee stands by its claims, citing serious public health violations found during their inspection. Committee chair Maurice Ochieng emphasized the need to protect Nairobi residents from food safety risks and called for swift action from County Executive Suzanne Silantoi.