Java House has opened a new branch in Syokimau, Machakos County, in a move set to bring its services closer to residents in the area.
The restaurant located at Trafford Park, is part of the company’s plan to expand into fast-growing areas outside Nairobi’s city centre, where more people are now living and working.
Speaking during the launch, Java House Group CEO Priscilla Gathungu said Syokimau has been on the company’s plan for a while because of its rapid growth and rising population.
She said the area, which has over 100,000 residents, offers a good opportunity for the company to be closer to its customers and make its services more accessible.
“As the Nairobi Metropolitan Area continues to expand, we are intentional about positioning ourselves within key lifestyle and transit hubs. Syokimau represents the kind of high-growth node in which we want to be first offering great food, coffee, and spaces where people can connect, work, and unwind,” said Ms. Gathungu.
According to her, the idea is not just about opening a restaurant, but creating a space where people can do more than just eat.
“This is a place where you can come for coffee, but also sit and work, meet family, or just relax,” she said.
The restaurant is the company’s 105th outlet in East Africa, and it marks a major milestone in its expansion strategy. According to Java House, they are still growing, both within Nairobi and in other parts of the country and in Uganda.
Gathungu said today’s consumers are informed and have high expectations, and they are looking for quality and a great experience.
Over time, she said, Java House has also evolved in the manner in which its outlets are organized and operated, with more emphasis on technology, variety, and customer comfort.
The expansion to Syokimau comes as the area continues to grow and expand, thanks to the establishment of the Standard Gauge Railway terminus, the Nairobi Expressway, and the expansion and growth of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Mohamed Ismail, the Chair of the Syokimau Residents’ Association, said the expansion has been seen by the residents as a positive move.
“For a long time, people had to go quite far just to find a place like Java. Now it’s right here, which makes a big difference,” he said.
Ismail said the expansion also comes as a testament to the growth and expansion the area has undergone over the years, established brands such as Java House are setting up shop in the area shows the growth and expansion the area has undergone.
“For us, it shows the work we’ve put into building this community is starting to pay off.”
Java House continues to expand while seeking to serve the needs of customers and integrate itself in the communities where it opens shop.
