Uchumi CEO Lawrence Ngao Charged with Stealing Sh135,000 Chimney Fan

NAIROBI, Kenya – Lawrence Musyimi Ngao, the Chief Executive Officer of the struggling Kenyan retail chain Uchumi Supermarkets, appeared in the Kibera Law Courts on Wednesday facing two criminal charges related to the alleged theft of a commercial chimney extractor fan worth Sh135,000 (approximately $1,046).

Prosecutors allege that on April 17, 2025, Ngao, acting jointly with others not before the court, conspired to steal the kitchen equipment from premises leased to Hotspot Coffee Lounge Limited at Uchumi’s Lang’ata Hyper branch in Nairobi.

The charges fall under Section 393 (conspiracy to commit a felony) and Section 268(1) as read with Section 275 (stealing) of the Kenyan Penal Code.

Ngao pleaded not guilty to both counts.

He was released on a cash bail of Sh50,000 (about $387) or an alternative bond of Sh100,000 with one surety.

The case has been scheduled for pretrial mention on November 27, as investigations continue.

The complainant, Hotspot Coffee Lounge proprietor Maalim Hassan, had leased approximately 6,500 square feet of space on the ground floor of the Lang’ata branch since July 2023.

Relations between the tenant and Uchumi management reportedly deteriorated sharply by late 2023, when Hassan was issued a three-day notice to vacate amid claims of over Sh12 million in alleged unpaid rent – a figure the tenant disputes as fabricated.

Sources familiar with the matter suggest the missing extractor fan disappeared during or shortly after attempts to enforce the eviction.

The incident has escalated what appears to be a bitter landlord-tenant row into criminal proceedings against the supermarket’s top executive.

Uchumi Supermarkets, once a flagship Kenyan retailer founded in 1975, has faced years of financial turmoil, including near-collapse in 2015, multiple debt restructurings, and branch closures.

The chain is currently under a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) as it battles creditors, including banks and the National Treasury, over billions in outstanding loans. Recent court battles have involved blocked auctions of prime properties, including the Lang’ata branch itself.

Ngao, who has served in senior roles at Uchumi including as CFO before rising to CEO, has previously appeared in court documents defending the retailer’s position in creditor disputes and tenant evictions.

Neither Ngao nor Uchumi Supermarkets has issued a public statement on the charges as of Thursday morning.

The case adds to mounting legal and financial pressures on the retailer, which now operates only a handful of branches after closing dozens in recent years.

Observers say the high-profile prosecution of its CEO risks further damaging Uchumi’s fragile reputation as it seeks to revive operations.

Attempts to reach Hotspot Coffee Lounge for comment were unsuccessful.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed the matter is active but declined to provide further details.