In a move geared at supporting democratic processes in the country, more than 5,500 staffers of Nakumatt Holdings in Kenya will observe the March 4 public holiday with all round the clock stores closing on Monday at dawn.
The stores are expected to be re-opened on Tuesday morning.
According to Nakumatt Holdings Managing Director Atul Shah, the shutdown is aimed at affording the retailer’s customers, staffers, suppliers and associates time off to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Unlike during other public holidays where Nakumatt stores remain open from midmorning, a national voting day, Shah explained necessitates full closure.
“While we regret the inconvenience such closure may occasion to a section of our customers, we are however encouraged to take this bold step to enable all our stakeholders play their democratic role to vote for competent, credible and visionary leadership,” Shah explained.
“At Nakumatt, we are also highly optimistic and confident of a smooth voting process and have therefore undertaken to ensure all branches reopen on Tuesday morning promptly,” he added.
With stores spread across Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani, Kisumu, Malindi, Thika, Kisii, Eldoret, Nakuru, Kakamega, Nanyuki and Meru, Nakumatt’s closure will be a significant factor to encourage voter turnout particularly in the urban centres.
Alongside the closure, Nakumatt Holdings branches countrywide on Thursday observed a synchronised national anthem recital across all its branches.
While joining his colleagues at Nakumatt Headquarters for the National Anthem recital, Shah noted the public recital of a national anthem is the highest show of national pride and patriotism that a citizen can engage in. -CapitalFM News
