Naivas Supermarket’s Midtown branch, located along Kenyatta Avenue, has officially transitioned to a 24-hour operation, joining a growing list of businesses in Nakuru that now serve customers around the clock.

‎‎For many years, the branch operated between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., making the shift a significant change in how the supermarket serves city residents.

‎‎Naivas Midtown Customer Care Manager Johnson Kamau tells Mtaa Wangu the decision to operate 24 hours was implemented in December last year after the management observed changing customer needs and shopping patterns.

‎‎“We started operating on a 24-hour basis in December last year because we wanted to revive the city, especially at night, where we have many customers,” Kamau says.

‎‎He explains that the supermarket initially intended to pilot the idea earlier, but plans were disrupted by the GenZ demonstrations that led to vandalism in parts of the city.

‎‎“We wanted to pilot the 24-hour operation before the Gen Z demonstrations, but the situation on the ground did not allow us to proceed because of the vandalism that was happening around,” he notes.

Naivas Supermarket’s Midtown branch, located along Kenyatta Avenue, has transitioned to a 24-hour operation.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/ MTAA WANGU

‎‎According to Kamau, the decision was also driven by the consistently high number of customers shopping late into the night.

‎‎“We had a high number of customers coming in late, so we had to give them an opportunity. Nakuru has the capacity to run a 24-hour economy, and people can comfortably shop throughout the night,” he says.

‎‎He added that customer traffic remains strong well into the early morning hours. “We receive a high number of customers up to 3 or 4 a.m., which clearly shows there is demand for night shopping,” Kamau states.

‎‎Kamau further calls on other businesses to complement the 24-hour service to strengthen Nakuru’s night economy.

‎‎“Chemists, shops, curio stores, and hotels can complement our services at night. Our customers include people who work late, as well as those who prefer to shop when there are no long queues and minimal traffic,” he says.

‎‎He identifies traffic congestion during the day as a major factor pushing customers to shop at night, adding that improved security, adequate street lighting, and the presence of nightclubs have enabled the supermarket to operate safely at night.

‎‎“Access to services like wine and spirits also allows customers to shop later into the night,” he adds.

‎‎Looking ahead, Kamau reveals that Naivas may consider extending the 24-hour model to other branches. “If the demand continues, we may consider having more branches operating on a 24-hour basis,” he says.

‎‎Naivas Midtown now joins other businesses in Nakuru, including Magunas Supermarket and Nacity Restaurant, which are also operating 24 hours, signaling a growing shift toward a vibrant night-time economy in the city.

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Nakuru’s 24-hour economy dream faces reality check

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Muthoni Wanjiku