NAIROBI, KENYA – A Chinese national has been dismissed from his managerial position at a factory in Nairobi and is facing deportation following the emergence of a viral video showing him physically assaulting a Kenyan employee. The footage, which circulated widely on social media beginning last week, has ignited widespread condemnation across Kenya, placing a renewed focus on the conduct of foreign nationals and labor practices within foreign-owned companies operating in the country.

The video shows the manager of a Nairobi-based restaurant, identified by authorities as Deng Hailan, repeatedly caning a Kenyan waiter, Simon Oseko, for allegedly reporting to work late. The incident took place at the Chez Wou restaurant in the Kileleshwa suburb of Nairobi. Following the video's circulation, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) raided the establishment on Sunday, February 9, 2020, arresting Hailan and three other Chinese nationals.

Investigations by the DCI revealed that Hailan was working as a chef without a valid work permit. Two of his colleagues, Chang Yueping and Ou Qiang, were found to be holding expired visas, while a fourth, cashier Yu Ling, was on a visitor's visa and also lacked a work permit. The DCI confirmed that eight Kenyan employees of the restaurant were also taken to Kilimani Police Station for interrogation to provide further details on the incident and working conditions.

Official and Public Reaction

The video sparked immediate and forceful reactions from both the public and government bodies. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) issued a statement condemning the assault as a “gross violation of the rights and dignity” of Kenyan workers. COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli called for the immediate deportation of the foreign national and urged the government to strengthen monitoring and enforcement measures at foreign-run enterprises to prevent such abuses.

Responding to the public outcry, the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi issued a statement on Monday, November 17, 2025, expressing its “extreme disappointment” over the incident. The Embassy confirmed that the company had terminated the manager's contract and was considering further disciplinary action. The statement emphasized that the embassy consistently requires its citizens in Kenya to abide by local laws and customs, describing the assault as an “isolated incident” that should not detract from the broader investment and cooperation between the two nations.

The Kenyan government has also weighed in on the matter. A statement from the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Monday confirmed that authorities were actively pursuing the case. The statement reiterated the government's stance that while Kenya welcomes foreign investment, all foreign nationals are expected to respect the laws and people of the country.

Legal Ramifications and Labor Rights

Following their arrest in February 2020, the four Chinese nationals were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts. The court initially granted police permission to detain the suspects for 15 days to conclude their investigations. Subsequently, on February 13, 2020, then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i signed deportation orders for the four individuals. After a brief legal challenge, the court ordered their immediate deportation later that month after the individuals stated they were willing to be repatriated.

This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the protection of Kenyan workers. Under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act of 2011, it is illegal for a foreign national to engage in employment without a valid work permit, and it is an offense for an employer to hire them without the proper authorization. The Act empowers the government to order the removal of any person whose presence in the country is deemed unlawful. Labor advocates argue that incidents like this underscore the need for more rigorous enforcement of these laws to safeguard local employees from exploitation and abuse.

In a subsequent civil case, the Employment and Labour Relations Court on June 29, 2021, found Deng Hailan guilty of assault and awarded the victim, Simon Oseko, Ksh3.07 million in damages for the violation of his rights. However, reports from June 2022 indicated that Hailan had been deported before settling this debt, raising questions about accountability and justice for victims even after a court ruling.