Our story

Text Book Centre (TBC) is East and Central Africa's largest Educational, Cultural and Technological Content and Products Distributor. It was founded in 1964 as a partnership between two businessmen in Kenya, Mr. S V Shah and Mr. M J Rughani. TBC has over the years grown tremendously to become the leading bookstore chain in Kenya. Its retail, wholesale and distribution services have unrivalled capacity to meet the demands of Kenya's vibrant education sector.

Corporate Strategy

Vision: To be East Africa's leading leisure and educational bookstore and office support resource centre.

Mission: To provide superior and friendly service and ensure extensive product solutions with the aim of exceeding customer expectations.

Company Products

Text Book Centre Ltd is an educational and office supplies conglomerate .The firms core activity is supply of education, general books and educational material, including stationery supplies to professionals, schools, colleges, universities, international organizations and non-government and government organizations countrywide and to buyers in Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Zanzibar and Tanzania.

In recent years TBC has diversified into PCs, computer's – desktops, printers, scanners, photocopiers, paper – shredders and other office equipment and supplies. Its bookshops and office supplies outlets are located on Kijabe Street, Sarit Centre in Westland's, Langata in Galleria Mall and Junction outlet in Junction Mall Ngong Road, Nairobi.

TBC are the Kenyan dealers and distributors for Rexel staplers, shredders, over-head projectors, Bantex box files, Staedtler pencils, Faber Castell technical instruments, Pidilite, Camlin, Windsor & Newton and Marie's art materials, Oxford Mathematical sets from Helix, Omega office and technical instruments. In addition, TBC is the exclusive distributor for Pelikan and Geha Products in Kenya. The most recent addition to the product portfolio is the"MORE" range of school and office stationery.

Text Book Centre Ltd has a renewed focus on all our Customers and Customer Service which plays an important part in all our transactions. Training of our staff is an important factor in this.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Over the years TBC has played a vital role in the daily lives of the citizens of this country and parts of East Africa, shaping up young minds and developing them into responsible citizens. As part of our CSR programs we have been associated with Presidents Awards for over 20 years.

Text Book Centre Ltd has over the years been involved in philanthropic activities in education, environmental protection programmes, and conservation of wildlife through supporting partners actively involved in these sectors.

Moving Forward

TBC's sustainability policy encourages the introduction of new products inline with current market trends, by embracing technology. The book industry is changing; this has seen eBooks gain rapid popularity in developed economies. Text Book Centre Ltd is taking lead in this direction, through the introduction of e-readers and eBooks in its product portfolio in a bid to satisfy the growing customer need. We are thrilled to open the world of eBooks to Kenya through the Text Book Centre Ltd eBook web store and retail kiosks, powered by eKitabu.

Our Pride

Generations of Kenyans have benefited from the services provided by TBC and we can rightfully say that TBC is "the best base camp for the journeys of the mind".

The future looks bright, as TEXT BOOK CENTRE'S strategies - reflected in the company's motto "…Much More than A Bookshop" - keeps it ahead.