Copia faces insolvency petition over unpaid debts

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 5 – Copia Kenya is facing an insolvency petition at the High Court after allegedly failing to settle debts owed to creditors.

The petition was filed at the Commercial and Admiralty Division of the Milimani Law Courts by Anthony Makenzi Muthusi and Julius Ngonga through Nyaanga and Mugisha Advocates.

According to a gazette notice, the application is scheduled for hearing on May 11, 2026, with creditors and other stakeholders invited to appear in support or opposition.

“The application is directed to be heard on 11th May, 2026 at 9.00 a.m., and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order may appear,” the notice reads.

Insolvency occurs when a company is unable to meet its financial obligations as they fall due or when its liabilities exceed its assets.

The development adds to Copia’s mounting financial challenges. In 2024, the firm appointed Muthusi and Ngonga of KPMG as joint administrators, effectively placing its operations and assets under external management.

The move followed a major restructuring that saw the company announce plans to lay off over 1,000 employees after struggling to secure fresh funding.

Copia, once seen as a fast-growing player in Kenya’s e-commerce space targeting underserved rural markets, has faced liquidity pressures amid a tough operating environment and constrained investor funding.

The outcome of the court process could determine the company’s future, including possible restructuring, liquidation, or settlement with creditors.