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Kenya’s largest retail chain, Naivas Supermarket, has announced the appointment of Andreas von Paleske as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a historic shift in leadership. Von Paleske, who has served as the retailer’s Chief of Strategy for the past eight years, will officially assume the role on November 1, 2025, taking over from David Kimani, the founding CEO and one of the sons of Naivas founder, the late Peter Mukuha Kago.
This appointment represents a significant milestone for the homegrown retail giant. It is the first time in the company’s 35-year history that the top position will be held by a non-family member, signaling Naivas’ transition into a new phase of institutional maturity and corporate governance.
From Family Legacy to Institutional Leadership
Founded in 1990 as a family business in Nakuru, Naivas has grown into a national retail powerhouse with over 100 branches across Kenya. Under Kimani’s leadership, the supermarket chain navigated turbulent market shifts, outlasted international competitors, and positioned itself as Kenya’s most trusted and accessible retailer.
Andreas von Paleske has been a key architect behind this growth. As Chief of Strategy, he played an instrumental role in structuring Naivas’ expansion, investor relations, and operational modernization — particularly during the company’s high-profile investment rounds involving Amethis, IFU, and the IBL Group.
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His appointment is widely seen as a vote of confidence from both the board and investors in his ability to steer Naivas into its next phase — one focused on innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth.
A Strategic Shift for Kenya’s Retail Market
The leadership change at Naivas comes at a critical time for Kenya’s retail sector, which is experiencing renewed competition, rising operational costs, and evolving consumer behaviour. Analysts view von Paleske’s elevation as a sign that Naivas is gearing up to consolidate its dominance through improved governance, stronger supply chain systems, and a push toward digital retail innovation.
Naivas’ Board has emphasized that the transition will be smooth and collaborative, with David Kimani continuing to play an advisory and oversight role. This continuity is expected to preserve the company’s deeply rooted culture and customer-first ethos while allowing von Paleske to bring in fresh strategic thinking.
The Road Ahead
As Naivas enters this new chapter, the stakes are high but the potential is even higher. Von Paleske’s challenge will be to maintain the family-built authenticity of the brand while accelerating its transformation into a modern corporate institution ready for regional expansion.
In an economy where local brands have often struggled to survive the shift from family-run to professionally managed, Naivas’ move stands as a model for how succession planning, investor confidence, and legacy preservation can align to secure long-term success.
The changing of the guard at Naivas is not merely a leadership announcement — it is a defining moment for Kenya’s retail industry and a testament to how far local enterprise can go when tradition meets transformation.
