Westside Mall is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Nakuru, a bustling city in Kenya’s Rift Valley region.
The mall covers over 22,699 square meters and features 30 retail stores built to international standards, offering a wide range of shopping, business, and entertainment options. From stylish stores to food courts, Westside Mall has it all under one roof.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the iconic Westside Mall, which is the largest shopping center in Nakuru, Kenya.
We will explore the architecture behind this masterpiece, take a tour of the mall, and shed light on the ownership of the mall.
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Location and Accessibility
Westside Mall is located on the western outskirts of Nakuru town, along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway. This makes it easily accessible by car or public transport. If you’re driving, there is ample parking available, both outside and inside the mall.
And if you’re using public transport, there are plenty of buses and matatus (shared taxis) that pass by the mall, making it a convenient stop for shoppers.
Stores and Services
The mall covers over 22,699 square meters and features 30 retail stores built to international standards, offering a wide range of shopping, business, and entertainment options.
From fashion stores to electronics, and from home decor to health and beauty products, Westside Mall has it all under one roof.
Some of the popular stores in the mall include Bata, Naivas Supermarket, Optica, and Samsung.
Apart from shopping, the mall also offers a variety of services that cater to the needs of its customers.
There are several banks located in the mall, such as Prime Bank, Equity Bank, and SBM Bank, making it easy for customers to do their banking transactions while they shop.
The Aga Khan University Hospital also has a branch at the mall, providing medical services to customers.
Entertainment and Food
Westside Mall is not just about shopping and services; it also offers entertainment and food options for its customers.
There is a cinema located in the mall, showing the latest movies from Hollywood and the local film industry.
And for those who want to relax and unwind, there are several cafes and restaurants located in the mall, such as Java House and KFC, serving a variety of cuisines to suit different tastes.
Ownership of Westside Mall
Although information regarding the ownership of Westside Mall in Nakuru is limited and cannot be verified, several sources suggest that C.K Patel Limited is the owner.
During the mall’s construction, BAA Architects displayed a billboard that provided project details, including the main contractor, which was Kensteel Construction Limited, the architects who were Bowman Associates, the quantity surveyors who were Construction Alternatives, and the client, which was believed to be C.K Patel Limited.
C.K Patel Limited is a Nakuru-based company that supplies building materials and is also the owner of C.K Patel Building, a 12-story high-rise building located in Nakuru city.
Controversy
Unfortunately, in January of 2022, Westside Mall made headlines for a disturbing incident.
A group of five robbers forcefully entered Prime Bank’s branch located inside the mall and stole Sh 2.3 million.
The branch manager at Westside Mall, Suraj Rawal, stated that the robbers arrived at the banking hall around 4:30 pm armed with a homemade gun, hammer, knives, and a machete.
Rawal reported the matter to Nakuru Police Station at 6:32 pm, and the police report was booked under OB number 98/26/1/2022.
According to Rawal, CCTV footage showed one of the guards opening the main door for the suspects. They went straight to the rear banking hall, where they held nine staff hostage and then locked them in the toilets.
The report also noted that the robbers vandalized the drawers and stole approximately Sh 2.3 million.
