Naivas Refuses to Close Any Nairobi Supermarkets Amid Claims of Expired Goods
Naivas Supermarket has strongly rejected calls to shut down its more than 30 branches in Nairobi. This comes just hours after the Nairobi County Assembly’s Health Committee directed that all of Naivas’ Nairobi outlets be closed over accusations of selling expired food products.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the popular retail chain dismissed the allegations, calling them “false, misleading, and potentially damaging” to the company’s image and operations.
“We would like to reassure our loyal customers, business partners, and the public at large that there have been no expired products found on any of our shelves,” the statement read in part.
Naivas further denied reports claiming that some of its branches had already been shut down. The retailer made it clear that it has not received any official closure notice from relevant authorities and that all its Nairobi branches are currently open and operating as usual.
“No Naivas outlet has been closed by any health or regulatory body. All our stores are fully functional and meet all required standards,” the company added.
This strong response followed earlier accusations made by Maurice Ochieng, the Chairperson of the Nairobi County Assembly Health Committee. Ochieng alleged that during a recent inspection at a Naivas branch located in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), expired products were found on the shelves.
Ochieng also raised concerns over the health and hygiene standards among the supermarket’s food handlers, claiming that many of them had not undergone the necessary medical examinations as required under public health laws.
In reply, Naivas gave a firm and detailed rebuttal, insisting that no closure had occurred and that they had not received any official directive from any county health authority instructing them to shut their stores.
The supermarket stated it is fully committed to adhering to all safety and hygiene regulations set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and other relevant agencies.
In what appears to be a move to protect its image and restore public confidence, Naivas revealed that it was seeking legal advice and considering legal action against individuals or groups behind the allegations. The company hinted that the claims might be part of an extortion attempt targeting its well-established brand.
“Naivas is currently consulting with legal experts and may take formal legal steps against those responsible for spreading unverified and harmful information about the company,” the statement added.
Earlier on the same day, before Naivas issued their response, Ochieng had addressed journalists and tried to support his committee’s claims by displaying a can of yoghurt.
He said the item was expired and had been bought from a Naivas store. He also pointed out that some of the supermarket’s products did not indicate an expiry date or shelf life, which he warned was a serious health risk to consumers.
Despite these allegations, Naivas has stood firm, assuring customers that their products meet safety standards and that the chain will continue serving the public without interruption.
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