Bata Shoe issues statement clarifying the closure of shops, sacking thousands of employees

The Bata Shoe Company has disputed social media rumors that it has fired all of its employees in preparation for the company’s closure in Kenya.

In a notice issued on Saturday, the company’s Managing Director Benson Okumu stated that the company was doing a routine maintenance shutdown, as it does every year.

“We are in business. We are on a normal annual maintenance shutdown normally provided for during the off-peak season,” Okumu said.

“We are a heritage business, strategic in operations for robust commercial output, thus seasonal breaks are within scope,” he added.

Okumu has assured its customers and business partners that all stores remain open to provide services as usual.

“All our branches are open and functional with great teams to serve you and a wide variety of shoes in ample stocks to deliver for our promise – to provide quality footwear for all,” Okumu said.

The MD further said all its stores countrywide are open for business.

Bata Kenya, based in Limuru, Kiambu county, has been in business since 1939.

It has more than 150 stores across the country.