When China Square opened its first store in 2023 at Unicity Mall, along Thika Road in Kiambu County, the whole of Kamkunji, Nyamakima, and Gikomba trading community was up in arms.
The then Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua vowed to fight for the Kenyan traders whose livelihoods were at risk. Then months later, Shiquo HiiStyle emerged, rattling the status quo even more.