The business world is not always clean, and success stories often have hidden stains. Few tales illustrate this better than that of Tuskys Supermarket—a retail empire that began with shady deals, soared to national dominance, and then collapsed in loud disgrace. While many praise Tuskys as a rags-to-riches story, the truth reveals a rise built on backdoor deals and a fall triggered by internal chaos. Story of Tuskys Supermarket
Origins: From Nakuru Mattress Driver to Retail Pioneer
In August 1985, Nakuru Mattress Ltd—later known as Nakumatt—decided to reward one of its retiring drivers, Joram Kamau, by helping him open a small shop in Rongai. The shop was named Magic, initially selling essential goods like foodstuffs. Story of Tuskys Supermarket
But Kamau had different plans.
Pivoting to Mattresses: The Insider Strategy
Drawing from his experience as a driver at Nakuru Mattress, Kamau knew the system inside-out. He exploited his insider connections to acquire mattresses at deep discounts, engaging in quiet deals with store loaders to receive excess stock far below market rates.
Profit Calculations:
- 6’5 Super King Mattress
- Wholesale: Ksh 1,250
- Acquired at: Ksh 350
- Sold at: Ksh 2,350
- Profit per piece: Ksh 2,000
- If 2,000 pieces sold annually → Ksh 4 million/year
- 3’0 Single Mattress
- Wholesale: < Ksh 200
- Acquired at: Ksh 65
- Sold at: Ksh 320
- Profit per piece: Ksh 255+
- If 10,000 pieces sold yearly → Ksh 2.5 million/year
Over just a few years, Kamau had built a mattress empire quietly backed by shady deals. By 1991, he was estimated to have at least Ksh 20 million in personal wealth, even if only 50% of his earnings were saved.
Scandal Exposed, But No Justice
The secret didn’t stay hidden for long. Tensions with his contacts at Nakuru Mattress surfaced, and the scheme was eventually exposed. More than eight drivers were fired. However, Kamau faced no legal consequences—prosecuting him would mean exposing internal fraud at Nakuru Mattress.
Hasmukh Shah, the owner of Nakuru Mattress Ltd and uncle to Nakumatt MD Atul Shah, who had personally funded Kamau’s shop, confronted him saying:
“Is this the way to pay me for my favour to you?”
But the damage was done. Kamau had built his capital base—illicitly or not—and was now unstoppable.
Empowering Family: The Birth of Naivas
In 1991, Joram Kamau loaned Ksh 1.8 million to his brother Peter Mukhua Kago to start Rongai Self Service Stores Ltd. This modest venture would grow into Naivas Supermarket, which has now outlived Tuskys and become Kenya’s largest retail chain.
Kamau’s own business evolved from Magic → Rongai Mattress → Tusker Mattress Ltd, and finally into Tuskys Supermarket.
A Tower of Babel: The Fall of Tuskys Supermarket
After Joram Kamau passed away, Tuskys was handed over to his seven children, all acting as shareholders. What followed was a retail disaster born not from poor sales but from internal dysfunction.
Key Reasons for Collapse:
- Sibling Rivalries: Disputes over control and finances divided leadership.
- Bad Debts: Tuskys expanded aggressively, accruing unpayable obligations.
- Supplier Exodus: Non-payment to suppliers resulted in massive walkouts.
- Strikes & Lawsuits: Employee strikes and court battles paralyzed operations.
Despite its immense footprint in Kenya’s retail market, Tuskys couldn’t withstand internal rot.
Final Closure: The Last Branch Falls
In August 2021, Tuskys Supermarket shut down its final branch in Nakuru, the very town where it all began. The collapse brought an end to a 36-year journey—not one of clean hustle, but of smart, shady beginnings and a loud, disorganized collapse.
The Real Lesson Behind Tuskys
Many motivational speakers cite Tuskys as a tale of humble beginnings and hard-earned success. But the truth is much more complex. Tuskys didn’t rise through grit alone—it rose through clever exploitation.
Don’t be fooled by sugar-coated business stories. Not all success is honest, and not all collapse is unlucky.
In Kamau’s case, what came through the backdoor eventually snuck out the same way.
Conclusion: The Business World Has No Guarantees
Tuskys Supermarket was a giant, but its foundation was shaky from the start. It teaches us that:
- Quick wins from unethical practices rarely last.
- Family-run businesses need unity and structure to survive.
- What’s hidden in the dark will come to light.
So next time someone uses Tuskys as an example of why you should “work hard from humble beginnings,” remember to ask: Was it clean? Or was it just clever? Story of Tuskys Supermarket
