Text Book Centre (TBC) has opened a new branch in Eldoret’s Rupa Mall, its 15th outlet in Kenya. The move continues the retailer’s national expansion six decades after its founding.
The company was established in 1964 by S.V. Shah and M.J. Rughani, who each owned bookshops in Murang’a and Nyeri, respectively. The partners headquartered their new venture on Kijabe Street in Nairobi in 1965, where the company’s headquarters remains today. From a single store, the retailer has grown to a network of branches and an e-commerce platform.
The Eldoret opening coincides with a period of significant change in Kenya’s education sector. The government allocated KSh 702.7 billion to education in the 2024/25 budget, with KSh 387.2 billion directed to the Teachers Service Commission. The sector is also preparing for the first cohort of students to transition to Grade 10 in 2026 under the competency-based curriculum.
Sachin Varma, CEO of Text Book Centre, stated that the expansion into Eldoret is a response to the region’s growth. “Eldoret is a fast-growing hub of education and enterprise,” Varma said. “We aim to make learning and knowledge more accessible to every Kenyan, wherever they are.”
Sylvester Metto, the County Attorney for Uasin Gishu County, acknowledged the store’s potential impact on the local community. “This new branch represents more than retail expansion, it is an investment in our learners, teachers, and creative community,” Metto said. “Access to quality educational resources is central to building a knowledge-driven county.”
The new branch will stock books, stationery, art supplies, and technology items. The company, which originally focused on educational texts, has broadened its inventory over the years to include a wider range of products.
The store’s opening highlights the evolving role of bookstores in Kenya, which increasingly function as community spaces for events and author meetings alongside retail.
