11 Best Shopping Malls In Nairobi

June 8, 2022 Daily Press

Nairobi city has some of the best places for shopping in Kenya. Apart from the usual retail outlets and open-air markets, some of the country’s best and the largest shopping malls are in Nairobi. They provide excellent shopping experiences and the best alternative places for people to shop, eat, entertain themselves, and get various services. In this article, we have made a list of the top shopping malls in Nairobi, their locations, and what they offer.
A shopping mall is a large enclosed area or a multi-storeyed building subdivided into different retail outlets like supermarkets, electronic stores, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, barbershops, etc. Some of them also offer extras like ample parking spaces, recreational areas, entertainment joints, and children’s playgrounds. The good thing with shopping malls is that you don’t have to visit different places to shop for different things since they are all available in one place.

List of the Top Shopping Malls in Nairobi

1. Two Rivers Mall

Two Rivers Mall is the largest shopping mall in East and Central Africa and the 7th largest in Africa. It was opened in 2017 and is owned by Centum Group, whose majority shareholder is the late billionaire and investor Dr. Chris Kirubi. The mall, which sits on a 110-acre property, covers approximately 65,000 square meters, with the mall itself taking up 11 acres. It is located in Ruaka, along Limuru Road and Northern Bypass in Nairobi. It neighbours some of Nairobi’s affluent neighbourhoods like Runda, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Kitisuru, Rossyln, Peponi, Highridge, and the fast-growing Ruaka Town.
Two Rivers Mall offers one of the best local and international shopping experiences. Its anchor tenant is Carrefour, one of the world’s largest French-owned retail outlets. It houses 200 stores including some of the world’s renowned brands like Nike, Woolworths, Hugo Boss, Burger King, and LC Waikiki.
The mall has a highly developed infrastructure like roads, ample parking space, and other facilities. One of its outstanding landmarks is its 60 meters tall and Africa’s biggest Ferris wheel nicknamed ‘Eye of Kenya.’ People get aboard the slow-turning wheel and enjoy a spectacular view of Nairobi City from 60 meters above the ground. There are also residential apartments, a playground, hotels, office blocks, dams, and parks.

2. Garden City Mall

Garden City Mall is the second-largest shopping mall in Nairobi, with three floors covering a total retail floor area of 33,500 square meters. It is located along Thika Road and was opened in May 2015. The shopping mall is owned by Actis, a UK-based real estate PE firm.
Whether you need banking services, want to buy some clothes, or want to grab a snack, Garden City Mall offers them all. It boasts over 100 tenants, including renowned local and international brands like Carrefour, KFC, Absa, Samsung, Equity Bank, Co-operative Bank, Bonfire Aventures, and Bata.
Garden City Mall has a residential area with 215 homeowners and residential tenants. They enjoy access to a children’s playground, a park, a heated swimming pool, a gym, and other social amenities. They also enjoy 24-hour security by internationally-trained guards, European Union fire safety standards, and CCTV surveillance and monitoring from a control room.

3. The Village Market Mall

The Village Market is one of the top shopping malls in Nairobi, located in the affluent suburbs of Gigiri. It was opened in 1995 by two Kenyan brothers who had a dream of providing a shopping and recreational experience to tourists, expatriates, and diplomats living within and around Gigiri. It covers a total retail floor area of 20,969.4 square meters and hosts over 150 businesses, including restaurants, retail outlets, fashion stores, and banks.
The Village Market Mall has several recreational facilities, including a 12-lane bowling alley, mini-golf courses, four state-of-the-art cinema halls, and a water slide facility. Apart from being a shopping, recreational, and entertainment hub, it also has some of the best food outlets in Nairobi. It prides itself as an international culinary hub, with 18 outlets to choose from, including a vast selection of nationalities and origins like Pomodoros, Slush, Steers, and Debonairs. There are also numerous local and international restaurants where you can sample different cuisines.
The village Market also provides a wide range of local and international fashion brands selling clothes, shoes, and accessories. Kingsway Tyres Center, located within the complex, allows you to service your car and run your errand simultaneously. There is also a forex bureau and several banks like Kenya Commercial Bank, Co-operative Bank, and CFC Stanbic Bank, providing financial services to expatriates living in the area.

4. The Hub Karen Mall

The Hub Karen is one of the top shopping malls in Kenya, located in Nairobi’s leafy suburbs of Karen. It was opened in 2016 and has over 85 stores that include a mix of local and international retail outlets, medical facilities, gyms, and offices. There is also a children’s play area where they have fun activities like riding and playing on the bouncing castles.
The Hub Karen Mall has parking bays that can accommodate up to 1200 cars and also has 1300 eatery seats. It receives approximately 55,000 visitors every week who visit to shop, eat, play, and have a good time.

5. Westgate Mall

Westgate mall is one of East Africa’s best destinations for shopping and leisure, located in the Westlands area of Nairobi. It has a total retail floor area of 33,000 square meters. The five-storeyed mall was opened in 2007 and houses more than 90 local and international brands like Barclays Bank, Bata, Adidas, Artcaffe, Converse, and Samsung Mobile, among others. The mall is a popular destination for locals and expatriates who visit to shop and engage in leisure activities.
In 2013, some Al-Shabaab militants with firearms attacked, took hostage, injured, and killed dozens of people at the mall. The incident which was Westgate Mall’s lowest moment saw it damaged and shut. However, it was reconstructed and opened again in 2015. The mall has resurfaced and regained its original position as one of the top shopping malls in Nairobi.

6. Yaya Centre

Yaya Centre was founded in the early 80s, making it one of the oldest shopping malls in Nairobi. The mall which is located along Argwings Kodhek Road, about 5KM from the Nairobi city centre, is owned by the late Minister, Nicholas Biwott’s family. It has over 100 shops, offices, supermarkets, and restaurants, among other businesses.
Yaya Centre is a host to various local and international brands dealing in different businesses. They include:

Woolworth’s
Toyworld

Chandarana Supermarket
Hush Puppies
Digital Solution Masters Limited
Tazama Art Gallery

Java House

7. Sarit Centre

Sarit centre is one of the most visited shopping malls in Nairobi and also one of the oldest shopping malls in the city. It was opened in 1983 and is home to various local and global brands, offering a mix of African and Western shopping experiences. It is located along Karuna Road in Nairobi, just a few minutes from the CBD.

Sarit Centre is famous for hosting expos every year. When they do, brands from countries such as Germany, Turkey, the UK, and others around the world usually participate in showcasing their items.

8. Thika Road Mall

Thika Road Mall (TRM) is among the top malls in Nairobi located in Roysambu, along Thika Road. It was opened in 2013 and serves the populous neighbourhoods of Roysambu, Githurai, Kasarani, Zimmerman, Ruaraka, and Kahawa. It hosts over 100 outlets dealing in food, households, electronics, entertainment, etc. The mall also contains state-of-the-art facilities for conferences and exhibitions.

9. Nextgen Mall

Nextgen Mall is one of the top shopping malls in Nairobi, located along Mombasa Road. The mall is only about a 10-minute drive from the CBD and a 15-minute drive to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The mall has over twenty outlets that include fashion stores, retail stores, and food outlets.
Many people find it convenient and prefer to shop at Nextgen Mall due to its proximity to the city center, the airport, and other places such as Nairobi National Park, Nairobi National Archives, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Ole Sereni Hotel, ice-skating park, and Eka Hotel. The nearby attractions give Nextgen Mall an edge over other shopping malls in Nairobi

10. Galleria Mall

Galleria Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in Nairobi. It is located at the Magadi Road and Langata Road junction. The building comprises three floors with a total retail space area of 35,000 square meters. It hosts over 70 outlets including renowned brands dealing in food, lifestyle, and more. Examples of its tenants are Woolworths, Carrefour, Text Book Center, Bata, Java, and Masai Market Stalls, among others.

11. The Junction Mall

The Junction Mall is one of the most famous shopping malls in Nairobi. It was opened in 2004 and boasts approximately 24,000 square meters of space and hosts about 120 stores. Nairobians prefer to visit The Junction Mall because of its vibrant nature and the presence of local and world popular brands that offer quality goods and services.
The Junction Mall offers not only the best shopping experience but is also an entertainment hub. Inside the mall is a casino, a movie theatre, and a children’s play area. If you feel hungry, you can also visit the mall and order your favourite foods from their restaurants.