Struggling Uchumi Supermarket could have its goods auctioned over Sh67m supplier debt

david nganga

March 14, 2018 11:37 AM

Euromart Limited secured a court order to auction the goods to recover the debt incurred five years ago

Troubled Uchumi Supermarkets financial woes continue to deepen as a number of assets from its branches are likely to be auctioned in seven days to clear a Sh67 million debt owed to a supplier.

This comes after Euromart Limited secured a court order to auction the goods to recover the debt incurred five years ago. The court order was served to the Uchumi head office in Industrial Area and Ngong Road branch.

Euromart director Joseph Kirui says they supplied a range of goods including fridges, trolleys and shelves.

“We secured a tender through the normal process in Uchumi Supermarket, and we supplied goods that we imported. We supplied five years ago and to date, I have not been paid," said Mr Kirui.

He added that efforts to try follow up on the matter have proved futile as nobody has been concerned to pay them.

“What has been surprising is that people have been appointed as managers. They come, they loot and they go. Others come, loot and go. Leaving us the clients without any payments. Now another team is in. For how long will we continue like this?”

Euromart says it will attach the property for seven days pending Uchumi’s response, failure to which they will proceed with the auction starting at the head office and then move to the rest of the branches in Nairobi.

david nganga