In 1964, just a year after Kenya’s independence, two entrepreneurs — S. C. Shah and M. G. Lavingia — opened the doors of what would become a cultural cornerstone in Kenya: Text Book Centre (TBC). What started as a modest bookshop in Nairobi has, over the decades, grown into the country’s most recognizable books and educational supplies brand.
This year, TBC celebrates 60 years in business — a rare milestone in a country where few local brands survive more than a generation. For many Kenyans, TBC has been a silent companion throughout life’s stages: from grabbing back-to-school supplies as children to buying office tools and art materials in adulthood. It’s where we bought our first dictionaries, revision guides, novels, sketchpads, and more.
TBC’s evolution has been shaped by both the needs of Kenyan learners and the broader shifts in the economy. As education expanded across the country in the ‘70s and ‘80s, so did TBC’s presence. From its early Nairobi days, it grew to open branches in cities like Kisumu, Eldoret, Mombasa, and Thika. In 1995, the flagship branch at Sarit Centre opened — becoming more than a store, a space where people engaged with books, ideas, and one another.
But as the world changed, so did TBC. The rise of digital learning and e-commerce pushed the company to launch an online store, allowing customers from across the country to access its products. This proved crucial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical learning was disrupted.
Still, in a world of Kindles and Google Docs, TBC’s continued relevance raises an important question: what’s the role of a physical bookstore in the digital age?
For some, TBC’s value lies in more than just products. It’s in the experience — browsing aisles, flipping through books, discovering unexpected gems. It’s also in the consistency: a place parents trust, and one children remember. And while the next 60 years will require even more adaptation, the brand’s staying power so far speaks to a deeper cultural role.
TBC’s 60th anniversary is more than a business achievement. It’s a celebration of learning, resilience, and a quiet but powerful legacy in Kenya’s story.
