NAIROBI, Kenya, May 2 – Text Book Centre (TBC), one of Kenya’s most iconic educational retailers, is celebrating 60 years of operation in the country.
Established in 1964, a year after Kenya gained independence, TBC has grown from a small bookseller into a major distributor of educational, cultural, and technological content across East and Central Africa.
The company was founded by S.V. Shah and M.J. Rughani, who each ran independent bookshops in Murang’a (then Fort Hall) and Nyeri, respectively. Their partnership led to the opening of TBC’s headquarters on Kijabe Street in Nairobi in 1965, a location the company continues to operate from six decades later.
Now with 14 branches across the country and a growing e-commerce platform, TBC has expanded beyond traditional bookselling. Its offerings include leisure reading, skill development resources, stationery, art and craft supplies, and tech products.
“TBC has always been about more than books,” said Sachin Varma, CEO of Text Book Centre. “We’re committed to staying at the forefront of learning and innovation, serving our loyal customers and supporting a culture of lifelong learning.”
TBC’s anniversary comes at a time when Kenya continues to prioritize education. In the 2023/24 financial year, the government allocated Ksh 666.08 billion—31.2% of total ministerial spending—to the education sector, reflecting a 15.6% increase from the previous year.
Academic and retail leaders lauded TBC’s contribution to the country’s education and literacy efforts. Prof. Joshua Bagaka’s, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at KCA University, emphasized the role of leisure reading and upskilling in preparing students for the evolving world of work.
“Institutions like TBC are essential in supporting lifelong learning, critical thinking, and future-facing competencies,” Bagaka’s noted.
Wambui Mbarire, CEO of the Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK), praised TBC as a standard-setter in educational retail. “TBC has been a shining example of how a Kenyan brand can grow with integrity, purpose, and community at heart,” she said.
As part of its 60th anniversary, TBC continues to redefine what a modern bookstore looks like—one that blends knowledge, technology, creativity, and community engagement. The company says its mission remains to inspire learning and fuel imagination for generations to come.
