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15 Biggest Malls in Kenya

A quick overview of some of the best shopping malls in Kenya.

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Hub Mall Karen
Hub Mall Karen. PHOTO | FILE

Shopping mall investors in Kenya are increasingly building show-stopping malls in Nairobi and other major towns as they seek to meet the rising demand for space by retailers.

Riding on the allure of the ‘all under one roof’ concept that presents variety and convenience, shopping malls feature the best local and foreign brands charming their way into the hearts of the growing middle class known for its appetite for sophisticated lifestyle trends.

Here’s a list of the biggest malls in Kenya:

1. Two Rivers Mall

Located on Limuru Road, Two Rivers Mall is the biggest mall in Kenya featuring a plethora of food and beverage outlets, fashion stores, health and beauty shops, banking services, children play areas and massive grade A office space.

Two Rivers Mall.
The Two Rivers Mall. PHOTO | FILE

The mall is in close proximity to Muthaiga, Gigiri, Nyari and Runda offering residents an excellent shopping experience with high-end local and international brands such as Turkish clothing line LC Waikiki, French retailer Carrefour and Burger King among others.

2. Garden City Mall

Located on Thika Road, Garden City is the second biggest mall in Kenya after Two Rivers Mall. It is the first of its kind in the country to incorporate shopping, residential and office space into one joint development ingeniously blending work, home and leisure activities.

Garden City Mall in Nairobi.
A section of Garden City Mall in Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE

Boasting over 120 local and international luxury brands outlets as well as a 3-acre recreational park, Garden City Mall is the destination of choice for families seeking an exceptional experience in shopping, dining and entertainment on Nairobi-Thika Highway.

3. The Hub Karen

Set in the heart of Karen, one of Nairobi’s leafy suburbs, Hub Karen Mall is arguably one of the most stylishly designed shopping malls in Nairobi and Kenya in its entirety.

With over 85 retail stores, the mall ensures that all your fine dining, entertainment, fashion and grocery shopping needs are met under a single roof.

Hub Karen Mall
The Hub Karen Mall. PHOTO | FILE

The Hub Karen Mall is a superb place to visit with family, guaranteed to keep kids occupied and excited in the indoors amusement park while parents shop.

4. The Junction

Located at the junction of Ngong Road, Naivasha Road and King’ara Road in Nairobi, the junction has been operating for the past 11 years.

The Junction Mall.
The Junction Mall. PHOTO | COURTESY

The mall, owned by Actis, hosts over 100 local and international brands.

5. Village Market

The Village Market is one of the best malls in Kenya. Located on Limuru Road, it houses 150 outlets on three levels, an outdoor food court and a health and fitness centre.

Village Market Nairobi.
A section of Village Market on Limuru Road, Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE

Village Market, which is adjacent to the Tribe Hotel, offers a recreational and shopping experience within the hot diplomatic zone of Gigiri.

6. Sarit Centre

Opened in 1983, Sarit Centre is easily the oldest shopping mall in Kenya. The mall is located in Nairobi’s Westlands and it offers a 300-seater cinema, food courts and a show space.

Sarit Centre Nairobi
Sarit Centre promotes itself as “a City within a City”. PHOTO | FILE

Sarit Centre was previously the largest mall in Kenya. Today, the shopping mall reportedly handles 25,000 visitors on a daily basis.

7. Yaya Centre

Located on Argwings Kodhek Road, about 5km from the Nairobi CBD, Yaya Shopping Centre is one of oldest shopping malls in Kenya.

Yaya Shopping Centre. PHOTO | COURTESY

The facility, which was founded in the late 1980s is today one of the top shopping malls in Nairobi. It hosts more than 100 shops and offices.

8. Westgate

Also located in Westlands, Westgate is a five-storey mall that houses over 90 stores.

The facility, which opened in 2007, was the scene of the horrific September 21, 2013 terrorist attack that left 68 people dead and hundreds injured.

Westgate Shopping Mall
Westgate Shopping Mall. PHOTO | COURTESY

The mall was extensively damaged – forcing the owners to close it down for repair. It re-opened on July 18, 2015, with about 90 per cent of its tenants retaining their leases.

9. Galleria

Located at the junction of Lang’ata and Magadi Road in Nairobi, Galleria Shopping Mall is a vibrant retail destination guaranteed to leave you spoilt for choice.

The mall comprises three floors of shopping, dining, entertainment and other lifestyle services with 70 outlets of prominent brands such as Carrefour, Java, Brewbistro, and KFC.

Galleria Shopping Mall
Galleria Shopping Mall. PHOTO | COURTESY

Galleria Shopping Mall offers the residents of Nairobi West, South B, Ngong, Langata and Karen a gratifying shopping experience.

10. Thika Road Mall

Popularly known as TRM, Thika Road Mall is among the best malls in Nairobi. The mall is located at Roysambu off exit 8 on Thika Road. It houses over 100 brands including eateries, fashion stores, and banking facilities.

Thika Road Mall
TRM is one of the several malls that have been built along Thika Road. PHOTO | FILE

The mall is a favorite spot for the residents of Roysambu, Zimmerman and Kasarani.

Besides housing top brands such as Carrefour, Sir Henry’s, Burgerking and Java House, TRM prides itself in being home to the first 7D theatre in Kenya.

READ: Thika Road makes way for more big-dollar projects

11. City Mall

Offering the best shopping experience in the second largest city in the country, City Mall is located 20 minutes along the Mombasa-Malindi highway in the upmarket Nyali area.

City Mall Nyali
City Mall Nyali. PHOTO | COURTESY

The mall comprises over 70 stores and is home to a myriad of high-end local and international brands including Shoprite, Cafesserie, Domino Pizza, City Walk and Woolworths among others.

In addition, all major banks have a banking hall and/or ATM lobbies in the mall.

12. Buffalo Mall

This shopping mall is the first of its kind in the tourist-popular Naivasha town.

Buffalo Mall is strategically located adjacent to the Nairobi-Nakuru highway making it the ideal spot to shop or grab a bite for those who take a weekend break in the lakeside town as well as those travelling to or from upcountry.

Buffalo Mall in Naivasha
Buffalo Mall opened its doors to the public on January 30, 2015. PHOTO | FILE

The mall’s location in a tranquil countryside setting offers a stress free shopping experience with Tuskys, Java House and City Walk being the top attractions.

13. Westside Mall

As the name suggests, Westside Mall is located in the western part of Nakuru town at the junction of Kenyatta Avenue and the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.

Westside Mall
Westside Mall. PHOTO | COURTESY

The mall hosts several high-end brands offering a wide variety of goods and services including Java House, KFC, Nakumatt, Vivo Activewear, Imperial Bank and Prime Bank.

14. Rupa’s Mall

The twin tower shopping mall located on Uganda Road in Eldoret is the first of its kind in the North Rift region.

The contemporary all-under-one-roof commercial center is a game changer in the region having introduced brands such as KFC, Java House, Woolworths, City Walk, Chandarana Foodplus, Vivo Activewear, Zaika Lounge among many others.

Rupas Mall Eldoret
Rupas Mall in Eldoret town. PHOTO | FILE

Rupa’s Mall is placed away from the hustle and bustle of the central business district, making it easily accessible with ample parking space and play area for children.

15. West End Mall

Designed to be every shopper’s destination in Kisumu, the tastefully designed West End Mall situated at the corner of Achieng Oneko Road and Got Huma Road has revolutionised the shopping experience in the lakeside city.

West End Mall introduced top brands such as Woolworths, City Walk, Creambell, Java House and Opulent Store in Kisumu.

West End Mall
West End Mall. PHOTO | FILE

The mall is located next to Acacia Premier Hotel, an epitome of class in the region’s hospitality sector complete with a rooftop restaurant that gives a perfect view of Kisumu.

Did we miss your favourite mall? Please let us know.

Jane Mwangasha is a gifted reporter with a degree in Journalism from the University of Nairobi. Her passion for covering the latest in construction news is backed by years of experience in the industry.