Sarit Centre is one of the most popular malls in Kenya, located in the Westlands suburb of Nairobi.Billionaire Owners of Text Book Centre and Sarit Centre. Established in 1983, it is the oldest mall in Kenya and hosts various international retail brands, over 250 local retail shops, restaurants, and a 300-seater cinema. Despite its popularity, the billionaires behind its success remain relatively low-profile.
Text Book Centre (TBC) is East and Central Africa’s largest educational, cultural, and technological content and product distributor. Established in 1963, TBC has become a significant player in the education sector in Kenya.
Founders and Origins
Establishment of Text Book Centre
Sobhagayachand Vidhu Shah and Maneklal Rughani were two Indian friends living in Murang’a and Karatina, respectively. They saw an opportunity in the education sector during a time when the Kenyan government was focused on eradicating illiteracy.
- Maneklal Rughani: Operated Rughani Bookshop in Karatina.
- Vidhu Shah: Ran Vidhu Shah Bookshop in Murang’a.
In 1964, they teamed up and moved to Nairobi to set up Text Book Centre, which sold educational curriculum books and stationery. TBC has since grown to become the largest distributor of educational, cultural, and technological content and products in East and Central Africa.
Establishment of Sarit Centre
After the success of TBC, Shah and Rughani decided to set up a modern mall inspired by the Brent Cross Shopping Centre in London, UK. In April 1983, Sarit Centre was born, becoming the largest mall in Kenya at the time with only two tenants: Uchumi Supermarket and Text Book Centre.
By late 1985, most of the mall’s space had been occupied, and it became the first enclosed shopping mall in East Africa.
Business Expansion and Success
The duo’s businesses flourished, leading to the establishment of Kartasi Industries in 1990, which produces exercise books, writing pads, counter books, box files, and document wallets. Kartasi Industries has grown to be the leading stationery products manufacturer in East and Central Africa.
In 2000, Vidhu Shah was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya for his contributions to eradicating ignorance in the country.
Leadership Transitions
Maneklal Rughani passed away in 1997, and Vidhu Shah continued to steer the company to greater success until his death on April 6th, 2021, at the age of 84. After his passing, the families of the two founders took control of the different companies.
Current Leadership
Sarit Centre:
- Sarit Nitin Shah: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Atul Shah: Finance Manager
- Mansur Kasmani: Operations Manager
Text Book Centre and Other Businesses:
- Rajesh Rughani: Managing Director of Simpsons Properties and Soma Group, the holding companies of the business interests of Maneklal Rughani and Vidhu Shah.
- Mahesh Rughani: CEO of Citadel Cellular Communications and Kartasi Industries Limited.
- Ishwar Rughani: Managing Director of Text Book Centre.
Conclusion
The success of Sarit Centre and Text Book Centre can be attributed to the visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit of Sobhagayachand Vidhu Shah and Maneklal Rughani. Their legacy continues under the capable hands of their families, who have maintained and expanded their business empires, making significant contributions to Kenya’s educational and commercial landscapes. Owners of Text Book Centre and Sarit Centre.
