In the vibrant city of Nairobi, Mombasa Road stands out as a major transportation artery and a hub of commercial activity. Some of the city’s most prominent shopping malls are along this bustling thoroughfare. Let’s take a closer look at the seven malls that adorn the landscape of Mombasa Road.
1. Capital Centre
Opened in January 2004, Capital Centre stands as the pioneering and oldest shopping mall along Mombasa Road, strategically situated near Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and the Nairobi National Park.
With a total area covering 140,000 square feet, Capital Centre may be considered smaller compared to larger malls like Two Rivers and Garden City, boasting over 200 stores. However, within its confines, visitors can find 11 restaurants and fast food options, ATMs, banks, beauty and cosmetic shops, and various standard mall retail outlets, totaling 60 stores.
Operating hours at Capital Centre span from Monday to Sunday, welcoming guests from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, although some stores may opt for early closure. Parking convenience is assured with over 500 bays, including four reserved slots for persons with disabilities.
A unique feature of Capital Centre is its weekly Maasai Market, held every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This market showcases authentic Kenyan handmade arts and crafts, including bags, jewelry, and other distinctive items.
Facilities at Capital Centre cater to visitors’ comfort and convenience, with washrooms located on the ground floor and three hospitals/clinics available on-site for immediate response to emergencies.
In today’s digital age, staying connected is essential, and Capital Centre provides free Wi-Fi throughout the mall, accessible under the network “@capitalcentre.”
Accessibility to the Capital Centre is facilitated by two separate entry and exit points, located on Mombasa Road and Daidai Road. The Mombasa Road entrance is approximately a 15-minute drive from Nairobi CBD, a commute that can be further expedited if utilizing the expressway.
Capital Centre stands as not just a shopping destination but a multifaceted hub offering convenience, entertainment, and cultural experiences
2. Nextgen Mall
Compared to its counterparts, Nextgen Mall might not evoke the same level of appeal. Parking is available in the basement, and the road leading to and from the mall is degraded by disrepair. The overall concept seems somewhat strained. Nextgen is bigger than Capital Centre with 8 floors and over 200 retail spaces.
Situated on the periphery of South C along the Southern Bypass, Nextgen Mall commands attention with its imposing structure even though the design is not that impressive. Offering a sweeping vista of southern Nairobi’s expansion, the mall enjoys a unique position bordering the national park.
The standout feature of Nextgen, setting it apart from its Mombasa Road counterparts, is its expansive kids’ play area. However, amidst this, the ground-floor food vendors tend to overwhelm visitors with incessant menu offerings which is annoying.
The other stand-out feature of Nextgen, it is the only mall along Mombasa Road with both Domino’s and Burger King. Despite its grand scale, Nextgen Mall lacks the bustling energy one might expect.
With limited occupancy and a dearth of retail variety, it fails to fully capitalize on its expansive footprint, leaving visitors with a somewhat underwhelming impression. Nextgen doesn’t even have a working website for starters.
3. The Imaara
The Imaara Mall stands out as one of the newest and trendiest shopping centers, boasting a contemporary ambiance with a focus on modern artistry. Its architectural design, while simplistic, exudes sophistication.
Derived from its proximity to the Imara Daima estate along Mombasa road, the mall’s name reflects its location. Operating hours extend until 10 pm, though most stores tend to close earlier.
Situated in an unconventional spot behind a petrol station, the mall offers free parking for 20 minutes in the outside bays. Additional parking facilities are available in the basement and rooftop areas, with unlimited access for a fee, which is notably convenient. Parking rates start at KSh 50 for 0-3 hours and increase incrementally thereafter.
Dining options at Imaara encircle popular fast-food chains like Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, and Galitos, alongside specialty outlets such as SNO Ice Cream, Boba Cafe, and Big Knife. Cafe Javas (CJs) stands out as the flagship restaurant within the mall.
In terms of shopping, Naivas serves as the primary supermarket choice, distinguishing itself from the Carrefour typically found in other malls. Other retail offerings include Hotpoint for appliances, fashion outlets, shoe stores, mattress retailers, and more.
While healthcare amenities are limited to a pharmacy and a dental clinic, plans are in place to introduce a gym on the third floor, along with an Absa bank branch.
Opened in early 2018, Signature Mall stands out as an architectural marvel, featuring stylish design elements and sophistication. However, it falls short in terms of dining options, lacking the typical mall eateries and offering relatively unknown choices with a limited variety.
Surprisingly, there are no fast-food outlets among the approximately five food options available. Moreover, the mall’s location far from Nairobi CBD, near Mlolongo, adds to its drawbacks.
Regarding groceries, Chandarana Foodplus serves as the primary option, accompanied by six clothing and footwear stores, with Bata and Vivo being the prominent ones.
Overall, the store selection at this mall disappoints considering its size, with smaller malls often boasting better variety and options.
4. Signature Mall
Opened in early 2018, Signature Mall stands out as an architectural marvel, featuring contemporary design elements and sophistication. However, it falls short in terms of dining options, lacking the typical mall eateries and offering relatively unknown choices with a limited variety. Surprisingly, there are no fast-food outlets among the approximately five food options available. Moreover, the mall’s location far from Nairobi CBD, near Mlolongo, adds to its drawbacks.
Regarding groceries, Chandarana Foodplus serves as the primary option, accompanied by six clothing and footwear stores, with Bata and Vivo being the prominent ones. Overall, the store selection at this mall disappoints considering its size, with smaller malls often boasting better variety and options.
5. Crystal Rivers
The shopping complex offers a diverse selection of retail, dining, and entertainment options. With a blend of establishments catering to various needs, it attracts a clientele primarily comprising affluent residents from Athi River town.
Similar to Two Rivers and Garden City, this mall integrates different land uses, including residential units such as 56 3-bedroom townhouses, 82 4-bedroom townhouses, and 260 3-bedroom apartments.
Although recently opened, the mall currently hosts limited amenities, including the Foodplus Supermarket, and fewer than 15 additional stores.
