Debt-ridden retail chain Uchumi Supermarkets Ltd has received a reprieve after the High Court issued orders preventing its landlord in Jogoo Nairobi from evicting it from the building.
Justice Alfred Mabeya on Wednesday directed Townsville Holdings Limited not to “evict or harass the retail shop in any way whatsoever” until further orders of the court, although the tenancy lease has since expired.
The judge also set aside the notices issued to the retail shop by Chador Auctioneers on October 30, 2020 proclaiming properties belonging to Uchumi Supermarkets Ltd over unpaid rent of undisclosed amount.
The auctioneer had been instructed by the landlord. In its court papers, Uchumi indicated that it had a smooth relationship with the landlord for over 20 years, save for the last one year that it has had challenges paying the rent.
This has been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic which has ravaged businesses world over, the court heard.
Judith Nduku Matata, Uchumi legal officer, in her affidavit told the court that the landlord has been threatening the shop over the rent.
