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By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 17 November 2025 - The Kenyan Government has issued a strong diplomatic protest and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Kenyan workers following a widely circulated video showing a Chinese national assaulting a Kenyan employee at a private company in Nairobi.
In a statement released on Monday by Jacob Ng’etich, the Director of Press Service in the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, the government described the footage as “unfortunate and distressing,” saying relevant authorities had taken immediate action against the perpetrator.
The incident, which sparked widespread outrage across Kenya, has reignited debate over the conduct of some foreign nationals working in the country.
It also prompted rare, strongly worded statements from both the Kenyan government and the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, underscoring the international sensitivity of the matter at a time when Kenya continues to court global investors.
Mudavadi, whose docket includes oversight of foreign nationals and diaspora affairs, said Kenya expects all expatriates, regardless of origin, to abide by the country’s laws, respect local culture and uphold the dignity of Kenyan citizens.
“When in another country, abide by their laws, respect their people and understand their culture,” he has repeatedly said in public forums.
“Kenya expects the same courtesy from all foreign nationals living and working within our borders.”
Ng’etich said the government had received confirmation that the company involved had terminated the contract of the Chinese employee, who is now subject to further disciplinary and legal processes.
In a notable diplomatic response, the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi issued its own statement expressing “extreme disappointment” over the incident.
The Embassy said it had taken note of the video, adding that Chinese authorities require all their citizens abroad to observe local laws, regulations and cultural expectations.
“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.
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“As we are informed, the company’s management has immediately terminated the Chinese worker’s contract and will consider further disciplinary action.”
The Embassy emphasized that the overwhelming majority of Chinese nationals living in Kenya respect local laws and culture, describing the altercation as an isolated case that should not affect broader cooperation between the two nations.
“We believe this isolated incident should not affect investment cooperation between Chinese and Kenyan companies,” the Embassy added.
“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 with Kenyan laws, regulations and cultural customs.”
The dual statements mark one of the clearest recent examples of Kenya and China jointly addressing misconduct by foreign nationals.
China is one of Kenya’s leading development and investment partners, with thousands of its citizens working in infrastructure, manufacturing, telecommunications and private enterprise sectors across the country.
“Kenyans everywhere deserve a safe and respectful working environment,” the statement from Mudavadi's office noted.
“The Government of Kenya remains firm that all foreign nationals living and working in the country must respect Kenyan laws, culture and norms at all times.”
The swift action, including corporate sanctions, government investigations and the public diplomatic response, signals a unified stance by both countries that violations of worker rights will not be tolerated.
As authorities conclude their investigations, the case is expected to deepen ongoing dialogue about labour relations in Kenya’s increasingly globalised economy, and how best to balance international investment with the protection of local workers and cultural integrity.
