What began as a quiet business empire has now turned into a stormy family drama — one that threatens to pull back the curtain on secrets buried for years.
Naivas Supermarket, Kenya’s largest retail chain, is not just in the headlines for its success but now for a brewing internal conflict that’s tearing the founding family apart. Deep within the celebrated legacy lies a bitter fallout over wealth, control, and what some family members are calling a hidden fortune.
The heart of the conflict? Billions of shillings that were allegedly kept away from some heirs during a high-stakes stake sale to foreign investors.
When the supermarket’s late founder, Peter Mukuha Kago, passed away, his empire was passed down to his children. But now, the once united family is divided down the middle. Some siblings claim they were sidelined during key business deals, including the 2022 transaction that saw a majority stake of Naivas sold to a group of international investors.
One of the aggrieved heirs, Teresia Wambui, has gone to court to challenge the process, accusing her brothers of cutting her out of a multi-billion-shilling sale that she says she deserved a part of. Her legal petition alleges that the distribution of the family wealth was manipulated, and vital signatures were forged or acquired under false pretenses.
This explosive legal action has cast a shadow over the retail chain’s sparkling image. Court documents hint at years of suppressed tension — from secret bank accounts to murky company structures used to hide the full value of the supermarket.
Kenyans online have been quick to react. Many are stunned that behind the aisles of their favorite supermarket lies a dramatic story of betrayal, secrecy, and sibling rivalry.
As the court battle heats up, more revelations are expected to emerge. For now, what’s clear is this: the battle for Naivas isn’t just about money — it’s about legacy, loyalty, and truth long buried.
By tuko