Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has fired back at Trade CS Moses Kuria over the closure of China Square.
Through a statement, Kabogo said the government cannot close China Square at the pretence of protecting local retailers.
"In other words, Kenyans buy commodities at expensive prices, who should we protect more?" he said.
Kabogo further said he had gone shopping at China Square and bought commodities at an affordable price.
"I purchased a cabro brush at Sh400 which costs Sh950 at Gikomba. Who’s fooling who?" he said.
🇰🇪 is a capital economy, we can’t close china square at the pretense of protecting local retailers, in other words Kenyans buy commodities at expensive prices, who should we protect more? I purchased a cabro brush at CS @ ksh. 400 which @ Gikomba is ksh. 950. Who’s fooling who? pic.twitter.com/gH7oZfHhfr
— Hon. William Kabogo (@honkabogo) February 27, 2023
Other leaders have also come out to critisise the move by Kuria and defended China Square.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said Kenya’s investment promotion and protection regime is equitable, non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory.
“All actors, no matter their nationality- operating within the law should suffer any apprehension,” he said.
"No lawful investment actor- irrespective of their nationality- should be apprehensive because the country's investment regime is non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory."
On Sunday, China Square announced that the shop will remain closed indefinitely to allow time to sort out a number of issues.
In a notice on its official Facebook page on Sunday, the retailer said the provision of sufficient security is among the issues to be addressed during the closure period.
"We, China Square Limited, regret to inform you that we will continue to close down for further notice," the statement reads in part.
The outlet listed other issues that necessitated the indefinite closure which include a shortage of tills and misleading statements about its operations.
"Some of the statements on the internet have been misleading people, and some customers have overrated our services which have created unrealistic expectations," the statement read in part.