By Hassan Wekesa - Reporter
Kenya, 17 November 2025 - Chinese nationals and investors have been urged to abide by Kenyan laws and respect the dignity of local workers in their Kenyan firms.
Chinese Embassy in Kenya late Sunday issued a statement, following a disturbing video that went viral online, that shows a Chinese worker at a private company in Eldoret physically assaulting his Kenyan colleague.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage.
"We are extremely disappointed to see such an incident occur," the Chinese Embassy in Kenya stated.
They confirmed that the company's management acted swiftly, terminating the Chinese worker's contract immediately. Further disciplinary measures are under consideration.
The Embassy stressed that it always requires Chinese citizens in Kenya to strictly follow local laws, regulations, and cultural customs.
"The vast majority of them do so," the statement noted.
This is seen as an isolated case that should not harm investment ties between Chinese and Kenyan firms.
However, it serves as a strong reminder.
Chinese citizens in Kenya have been urged to uphold the principle of mutual respect with Kenyan friends and behave in accordance to the laws, regulations, and cultural customs of Kenya.
The assault highlights the need for better cross-cultural understanding in workplaces.
Chinese investments have boosted Kenya's economy, creating jobs in construction and manufacturing. Both sides value this partnership.
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The Embassy calls for continued cooperation built on respect and legality.
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-Kenya) in a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen, called for the immediate expulsion of a Chinese national caught on camera brutally assaulting a Kenyan employee at a factory in Eldoret.
COTU(K) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, termed the incident a "gross violation" of workers' rights and insisted that it the worrying pattern of abuses which Kenyans endure in the hands of foreign investors, must come to an end.
The outrage stems from a harrowing viral video that has ignited fury across social media platforms.
The footage captures alleged Chinese manager at TCM Mabati Factory, attempting to kick a Kenyan worker, who cowers in evident distress. In a subsequent viral footage, the Kenyan man assaulted is seen with his oppressor in what can be termed as the handshake moment, where he says in plain Swahili that they have mended fences.
“I have forgiven him and I intend to continue working here,” the Kenyan worker says.
Atwoli highlighted a parallel scandal that happened in recent weeks where COTU had already petitioned for the ousting of another Chinese investor at an Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
That individual allegedly forced Kenyan garment workers to sing Chinese songs before, during, and after shifts.
These latest outbursts unfold against a backdrop of simmering tensions over foreign labour dynamics and disrespect by foreigners.
Recently, a Dutch national harassed a police officer in Diani, with calls of his deportation over his unfitness on Kenyan soil. Edwin Ter Horst was arraigned in Kwale, but the latest from court corridors reveal that he was deemed unfit to stand trial, according to a medical report.
Horst in a viral video, was seen spitting on a police officer.
