Manyanja Mall: Quickmart, Goodlife and Rubis among anchor tenants of Sh400 million mall

Real estate investment and development company MRE Real Estate has broken ground for a Sh400 million mixed-use commercial complex in Eastlands, Nairobi.

The three-storey building that will be located along Manyanja Road will sit on about half an acre next to Berean Fellowship Church and is aimed at transforming the retail landscape in one of the city’s fastest-growing urban corridors of Eastlands.

The investment, covering both land acquisition and construction, is designed to capitalise on rising demand for modern retail infrastructure in high-density residential zones.

Manyanja Mall will feature Quickmart supermarket as anchor tenant, Rubis petrol station, convenience retail, and pharmacy Goodlife International Limited, food and beverage outlets, flexible retail spaces for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and family recreational areas.

“The integrated model is designed to generate sustained daily traffic by clustering complementary services in one location while strengthening tenant viability through shared customer flows,” said Eric Muli, Chief Executive Officer of MRE Real Estate, during the groundbreaking on Tuesday.

He added, “Manyanja Mall is a strategic investment in the future of urban retail and community living. We are creating a modern, accessible commercial hub that brings essential services closer to residents while unlocking economic opportunity for local businesses. Our vision is to develop spaces that go beyond shopping destinations where communities can work, connect, and thrive.”

The project, Muli said, is the first development for the company that has been in business for about three years now, dealing mostly with property management, leasing, and now development. 

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch welcomed the investment, noting the role of large-scale commercial developments in boosting economic growth.

“Strategic investments such as Manyanja Mall are vital in supporting job creation, strengthening local enterprise, and improving access to essential services. Developments of this scale contribute significantly to inclusive urban growth and long-term economic resilience,” said Oketch.

Humphrey Mburugu, Quickmart’s Head of Projects, highlighted the growing demand for organised retail in Nairobi’s urban residential zones.

“Eastlands continues to experience strong population growth and rising consumer spending. Our presence at Manyanja Mall allows us to serve customers with convenience while supporting the transformation of neighbourhood retail infrastructure,” said Mburugu.

Nelson Owiye, Retail Development Manager at Rubis, said that integrating fuel services within mixed-use retail developments improves accessibility and supports daily consumer mobility.

“The combination of fuel, convenience retail, and essential services in one location creates efficiency for customers and strengthens the surrounding commercial ecosystem. We see this as a strategic long-term investment in community infrastructure,” he said.

George Kamau, Head of Business Development at Goodlife Pharmacy Africa, emphasised access to healthcare as a key benefit.

“Modern communities require accessible healthcare alongside everyday retail. Our investment in Manyanja Mall supports our mission of bringing quality pharmaceutical services closer to where people live and work," said Kamau.

The project has recorded strong off-plan uptake, with approximately 80 per cent of the 25,000 square feet retail space already leased, according to Muli.

“Construction is scheduled for completion by August 2026, with an official opening planned for September,” he said.

The development is expected to create direct and indirect employment, support SME expansion, stimulate consumer spending, enhance local infrastructure, and increase property values across the Eastlands corridor.

Manyanja Mall forms part of a broader growth strategy for MRE Real Estate. The company plans to scale its commercial property portfolio across multiple urban nodes, targeting significant capital deployment over the next two years as it rolls out additional retail and mixed-use projects in Nairobi.

“We have more than five projects in the pipeline, two this year and three next year at Kamakis along Eastern Bypass, Kitenglea, Syokimau, and UpperHill,” said Muli.

He said the complex will have a playing area for children during the weekend and greenery.

The CEO said the area along Manyanja Road is unserved with malls, and the new project will come in handy.