Nairobi News

HustleNews

Nakumatt Ukay closed after floods wreak havoc


Nakumatt Ukay Supermarket in Westlands, Nairobi has been indefinitely closed for business after goods of unknown value were washed away from the mega store’s shelves following heavy downpour on Saturday evening.

Photos of the flooded store circulating on social media showed items such as detergents, toiletries and diapers, among others, floating on flooded floors of the supermarket.

Items floating on a flooded section inside Nakumatt Ukay Supermarket following a heavy downpour.
Items floating on a flooded section inside Nakumatt Ukay Supermarket following a heavy downpour.

The supermarket’s Regional Operations and Strategy Director, Thiagarajan Ramamurthy, issued a statement on Sunday morning saying they had temporary suspended operations at their Ukay branch.

SUBMERGED VEHICLES

“Arising from the flash flooding challenges experienced in parts of Nairobi and specifically at the Ukay Centre shopping mall in the Westlands business district, on Saturday night, Nakumatt Holdings, wishes to confirm the temporary suspension of operations at Nakumatt Ukay Supermarket,” Ramamurthy said.

A flooded parking lot at Nakumatt Ukay Supermarket in Nairobi.
A flooded parking lot at Nakumatt Ukay Supermarket in Nairobi.

As a result, Nakumatt Highridge Supermarket, will now operate, as a 24-hour outlet, to meet the immediate customer needs within the Westlands, Parklands Business districts and their environs.

The supermarket operates on a round the clock basis on two floors, centre ground and Mezzanine floors.

The downpour which, started at 5pm, resulted in a heavy traffic build up on most city roads.

At least ten cars parked outside the mall were submerged although no injuries were reported in the incident.