The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi has condemned an incident
captured in a viral video showing a Chinese national assaulting a Kenyan
colleague at a private company, calling the behaviour unacceptable and contrary
to the conduct expected of its citizens abroad.
In a statement, the Embassy said it was extremely
disappointed by the confrontation, which has sparked public outrage online.
According to the mission, the management of the company
involved has since terminated the contract of the Chinese worker seen in the
recording and is considering additional disciplinary measures.
“We have noticed a video circulating online showing a
Chinese worker at a private company assaulting his Kenyan colleague. We are
extremely disappointed to see such an incident occur,” the statement read.
The Embassy emphasised that it consistently reminds Chinese
citizens living and working in Kenya to respect the country’s laws,
regulations, and cultural norms.
“The Embassy consistently requires Chinese citizens in Kenya
to strictly abide by local laws, regulations, and cultural customs, and the
vast majority of them do so,” it added.
While terming the altercation an isolated case, the mission
urged that it should not be used to undermine the broader investment
relationship between Kenya and China.
However, it stressed that the episode serves as a reminder
to all Chinese nationals in the country to uphold mutual respect and lawful
conduct.
“We believe this isolated incident should not affect investment
cooperation between Chinese and Kenyan companies, but it is a reminder to all
Chinese citizens in Kenya to uphold the principle of mutual respect with Kenyan
friends and behave in accordance to the laws, regulations, and cultural customs
of Kenya,” the Embassy said.
The Embassy said it will continue engaging relevant
authorities as the company handles the matter internally.
The response from the embassy follows a demand by the Central
Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), for the immediate deportation of two
Chinese nationals accused of mistreating Kenyan workers in separate incidents
at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and in Eldoret.
In letters addressed to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia
Mudavadi and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, COTU
Secretary-General Francis Atwoli described the alleged incidents as a blatant
disregard for the dignity of Kenyan workers.
In his letter to Mudavadi, Atwoli singled out Xiao
Jianzhoung, a Chinese investor operating in the EPZ, alleging that he subjected
Kenyan employees to harsh and unlawful working conditions.
According to the Tailors and Textile Workers Union, workers
under Xiao’s supervision were reportedly forced to work long hours without
overtime pay, had restricted access to toilets, and were compelled to sing
Chinese songs before, during, and after work.
“These practices,” Atwoli wrote, “flagrantly violate Kenya’s
labour laws and international labour standards, creating an environment of fear
and intimidation that results in psychological and physical distress.”
In a separate letter to Interior CS Murkomen, Atwoli drew
attention to a viral video reportedly showing another Chinese national, a
manager at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret, assaulting a Kenyan worker.
COTU described the incident as a gross violation of the
rights and dignity of the affected employee.
“We will not stand by and watch the dignity of Kenyan
workers violated by some rogue foreign employers,” Atwoli said, calling for the
immediate deportation of the individual captured in the video.
He warned that failure to act would undermine the trust
Kenyan workers have placed in government institutions.
COTU further urged the Interior Ministry, in collaboration
with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to strengthen monitoring,
compliance, and enforcement in enterprises operated by foreign nationals.
