- Green Square Mall is the biggest mall in Kericho
- The project, which was completed in 2016, is estimated to be worth Ksh500 million
Kericho County is one of the most picturesque destinations in Kenya.
As far as the eye can see, the county´s verdant countryside is dotted with hilltops and vast tea plantations.
It is therefore not a coincidence that Kericho is home to some of the oldest tea companies in Kenya, the likes of James Finlay, Kenya Tea Packers Limited, Unilever Kenya, and Williamson.
Kericho town is located along a busy highway connecting the Nyanza region to the provinces of Nairobi and Central, making it a major transit point for passengers and cargo to Uganda.
However, for a long time, Kericho residents had to travel to Nakuru, Eldoret, or Nairobi to access rare household items or enjoy a coffee cafe lifestyle and eateries.
This was the county’s situation until 2014 when the town got one of its biggest shopping complexes with the construction of Green Square Mall.
In this article, WoK takes a look at the ownership and features of the mall.
One stop shop
Green Square Mall is located along the Nairobi-Kisumu highway and is comprised of about 20 shops on three floors.
The project, which was completed in 2016, was estimated to be worth Ksh500 million and was financed by the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
The Mall ́s developers said they constructed the mall to target Kericho’s growing middle class and customers who pass through the town.
According to Chris Ngéno, who directed the mall’s development operations, the mall was intended as a one-stop-shop that would suit all family needs for both customers and travelers along the road to dine, shop, bank, and relax, all under one roof.
Kericho county officials added that the demand for modern shopping facilities was driven by the growth of industries in the region, expansion by companies, universities opening campuses, and NGOs settling in the community.
Even before its completion, former giant retailer Nakumatt had confirmed it would be the main tenant in the mall.
Management
The project was managed by Limojade Management Ltd, who were behind Sahara Ridge Estate in Ruiru and at one time managed 717 Brookside Apartments in Westlands, Riversedge, and Redhill, among other projects.
The Mall´s letting agent was Dunhill Consulting Limited, who are also the letting agents of Thika Road Mall (TRM).
However, a company by the name of Green Square Limited was among 19 landlords who sued Nakumatt in 2017 on behalf of Green Square Mall over rent arrears amounting to Ksh 22 million.
Traffic
Today, Green Square Mall has a traffic of between 3000 and 3900 people walking in daily, depending on whether it’s on a weekend or a weekday.
Inside, you will find a number of business categories, ranging from retail shops, Financial, Beauty & Grooming, Travel Agencies, Restaurants & Clubs, Coffee Shops, Electronics & Mobile Phones, and Fashion among other diverse categories.
It boasts ample secure parking of up to 135 spaces located in a well-aerated basement and a secure rooftop accessed conveniently via lifts to all floors or through the ground to a rooftop drive-through ramp.
The mall is one of the most modern buildings in Kericho. According to Smart Investor, it was designed by Kenyan architects.
Aside from Green Square Mall, the other prime shopping destination in Kericho is the Simba Gate Mall, a beautifully landscaped building situated within the Kericho town CBD.
