President Ruto makes maiden tour of Eastleigh's BBS Mall
Ruto held a closed-door meeting and enjoyed a meal at the Grand Cafe and Indian Cuisine Restaurant on the second floor of the BBS Mall.
President William Ruto, in a discreet manner, arrived at the BBS Mall in Eastleigh driving a Lexus on Saturday.
The President was accompanied solely by the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah and two bodyguards.
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During his visit, he was given a comprehensive tour of the expansive complex and spent two hours exploring its facilities.
Ruto held a closed-door meeting and enjoyed a meal at the Grand Cafe and Indian Cuisine Restaurant on the second floor of the BBS Mall.
He indulged in a fine dining experience at the restaurant, where he was served the flavours of Indo-Somali cuisine, including Dailo (meat of a young goat) and biriani.
He met with various dignitaries, including Maalim Wali, the chairman of the mall, and Munir Ahmed, the chief executive officer.
This visit marks President Ruto's first trip to Eastleigh since his election in August 2022, making him the highest-ranking official to visit the new mall.
His presence at BBS Mall serves as a significant boost to the local business community and reflects positively on the security situation in Eastleigh.
This visit comes on the heels of recent visits by other prominent figures, including Somali Ambassador to Kenya Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle and German Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth, who visited the mall without any bodyguards, expressed his confidence in the safety of Eastleigh, stating, "I feel very safe here. I do not need any kind of security."
The mall, spanning an impressive 130,000 square metres, is the largest in East and Central Africa. Eastleigh, known for its bustling trading hub, now has a grand and clean feel with the BBS Mall, which houses international brands such as Giordano, Linton's Beauty World, Pizza Hut, Galito's, and Artcaffe.
It has more than 10 banks, more than 20 restaurants, 1,500 parking slots, hospitals, cinema halls, and various retail outlets.
Notably, it is the only mall in Kenya with that many parking slots, ample security, and a 24-hour water and electricity supply, backed up by high-tech generators.
High profile visits
The mall, located opposite Pumwani Hospital – bounded by General Waruinge Street to the South has witnessed high-profile visits since it opened its doors in 2023.
Last month, Somalia's Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, said the mall is a show of good business sense and has revamped the country's retail scene
"I had the honour of touring the BBS Mall, and I'm still in awe," he said. "The management graciously welcomed us and showcased the epitome of modernity and luxury right in the heart of Eastleigh. Congratulations to Moalim Wali, the visionary chairman, for not only building a mall but also transforming Kenya's retail scene."
The ambassador said he "couldn't help but marvel at the "sleek design and upscale atmosphere, reminiscent of malls in Europe and the Middle East".
"It was heartwarming to witness thousands of delighted customers and retailers immersing themselves in this unparalleled shopping experience," he said.
President William Ruto visits BBS Mall. (Amin Abdullahi)
Dadaab legislator Farah Maalim who toured the facility on February 25, 2024, said the BBS Mall is an inspiring show of architectural prowess. He was accompanied by his Wajir South counterpart Mohammed Adow.
Farah noted the ingenuity behind the creation of the biggest mall in Eastern and Central Africa, stating that it deserves celebration across the continent.
"This magnificent piece of architecture is mind-blowing. Our country is undoubtedly cruising on a fast lane in development terms," he said.
In November 2023, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan inaugurated the Construction and Real Estate Expo, marking it as the largest event of its kind in East Africa.
The three-day expo commenced on November 30 and ran until December 3 from 10 am to 2 pm daily.
MP Yusuf stressed the transformative impact of BBS Mall on Eastleigh, elevating it from a vibrant local hub to a global trading centre rivalling major cities worldwide. He lauded the mall as the flagship driving Eastleigh's economy and propelling it to high competitiveness in property development
"Eastleigh has grown rapidly owing to new developments that have changed and transformed the neighbourhood, but the crown jewel is the BBS Mall. It is the flagship that is driving the economy of Eastleigh," stated MP Yusuf.
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