Arguably, some of the most successful business people in Kenya who have built their businesses from scratch have tales of tough beginnings.
This is no different for Annabel Njambi, the founder of County Supermarket. Njambi came into the limelight on July 7, 2025, after goons looted her supermarket chain.
Narrating her humble beginnings, Njambi revealed she started her business journey as a paraffin seller with a Sh100,000 loan.
From just a small shop, Njambi grew her business to a wholesaler before switching her focus to basic consumer goods.
“I built my brand around people. Our prices were kept at the bare minimum, our profit margins modest, as we aimed to make life easier for our customers,” she said in an interview.
It was not long before the business blossomed, enabling her to open branches in other parts of the country. County Supermarket has four branches in Kabati, Kenol, Kagio, and Kagumo.
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The multi-billion business has over the years served as a source of income for thousands of Kenya’s both directly and directly.
The businesswoman revealed that she used part of her income from the business to provide for the needy, supporting the education of 200 vulnerable children, some of whom she sponsored to seek further education abroad.
Njambi also supported education of her employees and fed deaf people in the community, contributing to their welfare.
“I took responsibility for my customers and employees alike,” she said.
Despite her philanthropic efforts, Njambi claimed that some of the people she helped were the main organizers of the destruction of her business during the July 7 2025 nationwide protests.
On the fateful day, goons stormed four branches of her supermarkets in Kabati, Kenol, Kagio, and Kagumo, stealing various goods before setting the buildings ablaze.
According to Njambi, the attack appeared targeted as she discovered familiar faces among the looters on CCTV footage.
“They seemed confident, purposeful, as though on a mission. One of them is a former female employee. She is seen on camera directing the mob to shelves with high-value goods. This was more than just random looting; it was a conspiracy,” She said.
The business that took her 27 years to build was collapsed in a single day, leaving her with over Sh200 million losses and zero source of income.
