This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
On July 8, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had already begun to severely impact the entertainment industry in Kenya. As a result, IMAX Theatres at 20th Century Plaza on Mama Ngina Avenue, Nairobi, found itself facing a significant financial challenge.
According to a report, the theatre was owed Sh8 million in rent arrears by Arfa Afra Limited, the company operating the cinema. In an effort to recover this debt, Ideal Auctioneers was appointed by the landlord to sell off the theatre's equipment.
On Wednesday, July 8, 2020, the auctioneers arrived at the theatre and began removing the equipment. This included retractable seats, projectors, TV sets, power back-up units, roof and wall mounted speakers, POS, printers, and computers, as well as bar and kitchen items.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Paul Githirwa from Ideal Auctioneers explained that the order for sale of the property was due to the accrued arrears amounting to more than Sh8 million.
The pandemic had brought about a significant decline in the entertainment sector, with the ban on social gatherings and closure of bars and restaurants taking a heavy toll. Additionally, the directive for employees to work from home had affected businesses in the CBD that relied on after-work traffic.
