In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s retail industry, the Nairobi County Assembly’s Health Committee has ordered the immediate closure of all Naivas and Carrefour supermarkets in Nairobi. The decision follows serious allegations of selling expired food products and employing untested food handlers, both violations of the Public Health Act Cap 254.
Health Risk Sparks Urgent Action
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, the chairperson of the Health Committee, Maurice Ochieng, said that a recent health inspection conducted at Naivas supermarket’s Moi Avenue branch uncovered alarming health hazards. Among them was the stocking of expired food products that pose a direct threat to public health.
“We have visited nearly all eateries and supermarkets. Here at Naivas Moi Avenue, we found expired products being stocked, which puts Nairobi residents at risk,” Ochieng stated.
The Moi Avenue branch is one of the busiest Naivas outlets in the city, serving thousands of customers daily. Ochieng emphasized that the discovery was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of non-compliance across major retail outlets in Nairobi.
Untested Food Handlers a Breach of Law
In addition to selling expired goods, Ochieng revealed that the supermarkets were also in breach of labor-related health regulations. According to findings by the committee, many food handlers at both Naivas and Carrefour outlets had not undergone mandatory medical screening, a basic public health requirement for anyone handling consumables.
“We discovered that most food handlers have not been tested. Therefore, as a committee, we have resolved to close all Naivas outlets to allow testing and certification,” he said.
Carrefour Kenya Also Cited in Violation
The committee did not spare Carrefour Kenya, one of the country’s fastest-growing supermarket chains. Ochieng said a separate inspection revealed similar health violations, specifically regarding the employment of untested food handlers.
“During our tour yesterday, we visited Carrefour and found that most food handlers had not been tested, which contravenes Cap 254 of the Public Health Act. We issued them a closure notice as well,” he told Capital FM News.
One of the closure notices, addressed to Carrefour’s Wabera Street branch, explicitly orders the immediate cessation of operations until the retailer achieves full compliance with public health laws.
Focus on Communicable Diseases and Cholera Prevention
The committee’s action is seen as part of an intensified campaign to protect Nairobi residents from communicable diseases, especially following reports of cholera outbreaks in parts of the city.
“If you’re employed to handle food, the first requirement is a health certificate. With rising cholera cases, we’ve resolved that all handlers must be certified before resuming work,” Ochieng stated.
The committee’s directive includes mandatory testing and certification of all food handlers employed by the two supermarket giants before they can reopen their branches within the city.
Nairobi County Health CEC Called to Enforce Action
The Health Committee is now urging the Nairobi County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Health, Suzanne Silantoi, to act swiftly in enforcing the closure and ensuring that both retailers comply with the stipulated food safety and hygiene standards.
“We are calling on the CEC for Health to immediately act on this matter to protect public health,” said Ochieng.
This comes at a time when concerns over food safety in Nairobi have reached a fever pitch, with many residents demanding stricter regulation and oversight of food vendors, restaurants, and large-scale retailers.
The Impact on Kenya’s Retail Sector
This development could have major implications for Kenya’s formal retail sector, which has seen rapid expansion in recent years. Naivas Supermarket, Kenya’s largest local retail chain with over 90 outlets nationwide, has operated for more than three decades and holds a significant market share. The supermarket has not yet issued an official response to the closure directive.
Carrefour Kenya, a franchise operated by UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim, entered the Kenyan market in 2016 and has since expanded aggressively, operating several hypermarkets and supermarkets in key urban areas.
While both supermarket chains are major employers and essential service providers, the county’s latest directive underscores the need for compliance with public health regulations — especially for businesses involved in the sale of food items.
Public Reaction and Consumer Concerns
News of the Naivas supermarket closure and Carrefour shutdown has sparked a wave of concern among Nairobi shoppers. Many have taken to social media to express fears over the safety of food sold in major supermarkets. Some have also called for increased transparency from both the government and retailers regarding food safety checks.
“We trust these supermarkets because they are big brands, but now I’m not sure what we’ve been eating,” one Nairobi resident tweeted.
Others have welcomed the move by the county government, calling it a necessary step to protect public health amid deteriorating food standards in both formal and informal retail spaces.
Legal Implications and Future Compliance
Under Cap 254 of the Public Health Act, it is illegal for any food handler to work without undergoing a medical examination and receiving a valid food handler’s certificate. Failure to comply can lead to closure, fines, or even legal prosecution. By enforcing this law, the Nairobi County Assembly aims to set a precedent for all food vendors operating in the city.
The closure of both Naivas and Carrefour outlets in Nairobi serves as a strong warning to other businesses in the food retail industry: public health compliance is non-negotiable.
What Comes Next?
As of now, it remains unclear how long the closures will last. However, officials have stated that reopening will only be permitted once the supermarkets can demonstrate full compliance with health and safety regulations — including certification of all food handlers and the complete removal of expired products from their shelves.
The county government has also hinted at plans to intensify inspections across other retailers, fast-food outlets, and eateries in Nairobi, signaling a broader crackdown on health violations in the food sector.