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Somalia PM Hamza Abdi Barre makes landmark visit to BBS Mall

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre addressing hundreds of people at Business Bay Square Mall in Eastleigh. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

By Abdirahman Khalif | 10 May 2024

Prime Minister Hamza arrived in Nairobi on Monday and held bilateral talks with DP Gachagua in Karen.

Prime Minister of Somalia Hamza Abdi Barre visited Business Bay Square Mall on Thursday evening.

He was welcomed by Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan and the top leadership of the mall including Chairman, Maaalim Wali.

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Accompanied by several ministers from Somalia and ambassador Jabril Ibrahim, the Prime Minister who came to Eastleigh for the first time toured various sections of the mall, including clothing, food, and electronic shops.

He then proceeded to the basement-based restaurant Jifora, where he spoke with the hundreds of shoppers present at the mall.

Expressing his satisfaction, PM Hamza said that visiting the mall was on his agenda when he arrived in Nairobi.

"I promised Maalim Wali that I would visit this mall, and here I am," he said.

Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre accompanied by several ministers makes a landmark visit to Business Bay Square Mall in Eastleigh. (Photo Ahmed Shafat)

Comparing it to malls in Somalia, Hamza acknowledged the magnitude of Business Bay Square Mall, expressing hope for similar investments in Somalia very soon.

He extended gratitude to the Kenyan government for making it easy for everyone to invest in the country.

He is the highest-ranking Somali government official to visit the mall.

Other Somali officials who have recently visited include Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed, President of South West State Abdiaziz Laftagareen, and Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Karie among others.

Business Bay Square Mall has also attracted visits from top Kenyan government officials.

President William Ruto in March visited the mall accompanied only by Parliament Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wa.

Eastleigh residents listen to Somalia PM Hamza Abdi Barre at BBS mall. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

The visit marked President Ruto's first trip to Eastleigh since his election in August 2022, making him the highest-ranking official to visit the new mall.

During his visit, he was given a comprehensive tour of the expansive complex and spent two hours exploring its facilities.

In April, Prime and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also visited BBS Mall. He emphasized the growing importance of the mall in the eyes of political leaders.

The mall, spanning an impressive 130,000 square metres, is the largest in East and Central Africa.

Eastleigh, known for its impressive 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.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Bare addressing hundreds of people at Business Bay Square Mall in Eastleigh. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hamza arrived in Nairobi on Monday and held bilateral talks with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Karen.

DP Gachagua said that Kenya-Somalia relations are growing from strength to strength, adding, "As we restructure and align our architectural frameworks to buttress and enhance socio-economic development for the people of both nations, we stand at a special moment of working together in peace and security in the region."

PM Hamza responded by saying Kenya and Somalia enjoy deep-rooted ties that are mutually beneficial to the two nations.