NAIROBI, KENYA – The Kenyan government has vowed to take decisive action after a video showing a Chinese national assaulting a Kenyan employee at a factory in Eldoret sparked widespread public outrage. In a statement issued on Monday, November 17, 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, described the incident as “unfortunate and distressing,” confirming that relevant authorities are actively pursuing the matter.

The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi responded with an unusually firm statement on the same day, expressing “extreme disappointment” over the confrontation. The embassy confirmed that the private company, identified in multiple reports as TCM Mabati Factory in Uasin Gishu County, had terminated the contract of the Chinese worker involved and was considering further disciplinary measures. The embassy stressed that the incident was an isolated case and should not undermine the broader investment relationship between the two nations.

GOVERNMENT AND DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE

Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi’s office affirmed that Kenya remains open to foreign investors and skilled professionals but insisted that all foreign nationals must respect Kenyan laws and cultural norms. “When in another country, abide by their laws, respect their people, and understand their culture,” Mudavadi stated, a message he has consistently conveyed. The government's potential actions include corporate sanctions and deportation of the individual involved to ensure a safe and respectful working environment for all Kenyans.

The Chinese Embassy echoed this sentiment, stating it consistently requires its citizens in Kenya to “strictly abide by local laws, regulations, and cultural customs.” The diplomatic mission characterized the assault as unacceptable and contrary to the conduct expected of Chinese citizens abroad, adding that it serves as a reminder for all its nationals to uphold mutual respect.

LABOR UNIONS DEMAND DEPORTATION

The incident has drawn a sharp rebuke from Kenya's largest labor federation, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU). In letters addressed to Mudavadi and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli demanded the immediate deportation of the Chinese national. Atwoli described the assault as a “gross violation of the rights and dignity” of the Kenyan worker and part of a “worsening pattern” of abuse by some foreign employers.

COTU also highlighted a separate, recent case at an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) where another Chinese investor, identified as Xiao Jianzhong, allegedly subjected employees to harsh working conditions, including forced overtime without pay and compelling them to sing Chinese songs. Atwoli warned that failure to act decisively would betray the trust Kenyan workers have in the government to protect their rights.

LEGAL AND BILATERAL IMPLICATIONS

Under Kenyan law, assault causing actual bodily harm is a misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison. For foreign nationals, a conviction can lead to the revocation of work permits and deportation. The swift and coordinated responses from both the Kenyan government and the Chinese Embassy underscore the diplomatic sensitivity of the issue.

China is Kenya's largest trading partner, and the two nations have deep economic ties, particularly through large-scale infrastructure projects. While both governments have framed this as an isolated incident, it has reignited a national conversation about labor practices within foreign-owned companies and the effectiveness of enforcement of Kenya's labor laws. The incident puts a spotlight on the delicate balance Kenya maintains in attracting foreign investment while safeguarding the rights and dignity of its citizens.

Kenyan authorities have not yet announced specific charges against the individual, but the government's firm stance, coupled with the embassy's condemnation, signals that the matter is being treated with high priority. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.