The Nakumatt outlet that was closed on Tuesday in Nanyuki. The supermarket has come out warning landlords. [Photo/Standard]
Lawyers of Nakumatt Supermarket have warned landlords that ongoing evictions from premises are illegal as supported by section 500 and 61 of the Insolvency Act of the laws of Kenya.
The move follows the retailers’ eviction from its Nanyuki branch over rent arrears reportedly amounting to Sh36 million.
According to the lawyers, the law moratorium states that no landlord has the right to forcefully kick out Nakumatt from their premises and no creditor will forcefully repossess its goods until the application at the high court is heard and determined.
There was drama on Tuesday when passers-by and bodaboda taxi operators scrambled for Nakumatt stock after the retail chain was evicted from Nanyuki Mall.
The Nanyuki branch is the latest of the many outlets to be hit, and employees are said to have resigned in months leading to the eviction.
The eviction came two months after the supermarket closed down when the owner of the mall hired welders to permanently close the doors owing to rent arrears. However, the store's management put a notice indicating that the closure was temporary and business operations at the shop would resume soon.
The supermarket, which owns many other outlets across the country has been going through a rough financial hitch and was forced to closed down in many other areas.