Rwandese café sets shop in Kenya

By Brian Yatich

Brioche, a Kigali-based upmarket bakery and coffee shop is set to open its  first eatery in Nairobi, Kenya at the newly completed UAP Old Mutual Tower.

Brioche which operates a chain of pastries and bakeries in Rwanda is expanding to Kenya to cater for the growing market for pretzels, swiss rolls, wraps, baguettes, croissants, doughnuts, ciabatta, crumpets and other pastries.

“Brioche aims to offer a little moment of happiness in people’s life, a break from the daily pressure, an experience to share with family, friends or colleagues. We aim at sourcing high quality ingredients to make healthy and tasty dishes. And we like you to feel at home,” said Brioche founder and chief executive officer Jean-Philippe Kayobotsi.

Kayobotsi added that the new store will be centrally located in the Upperhill financial district of Nairobi and is strategically placed to serve tenants at UAP Old Mutual Tower, Nairobi’s highest building and the surrounding offices.

Commenting on Brioche’s tenancy UAP Old Mutual Tower, Group Asset Management MD Ms Patricia Kiwanuka said that the pastry chain will enhance the vibrancy of the iconic tower which is attracting strong local and global brands.

“Brioche is one in a string of high quality tenants that will call UAP Old Mutual Tower home. We are in advanced talks with a diverse mix of tenants who are looking for centrally-located Grade A office space,” said Ms. Kiwanuka.

UAP Tower is a 33-storey commercial building in the Upperhill financial district of Nairobi and at Ksh 5 billion is the group’s biggest property investment to date.

Already, the Tower has recorded over 50 per cent occupany key among them banks, financial intitutions and multinationals headquarted in Nairobi.