CHINESE MANAGER ASSAULTS KENYAN WORKER , SACKED BY EMBASSY
A Chinese national, Xiao Jianzhong, accused of assaulting a Kenyan worker at the TCM Mabati Factory in Uasin Gishu County has been dismissed from his position, the Chinese Embassy in Kenya confirmed.
The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, showed Xiao, a manager at the factory, hitting a Kenyan worker with roofing materials in what appeared to be a warehouse setting.
The Chinese Embassy issued a statement on Monday expressing extreme disappointment and condemning the assault.
They stated that the company has immediately terminated Xiao’s contract and will consider further disciplinary actions.
“We are extremely disappointed to see such an incident occur. As we are informed, the company’s management has immediately terminated the Chinese worker’s contract and will consider further disciplinary action,” said the Chinese embassy in Kenya.
“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 also urged all Chinese nationals in Kenya to respect local laws, cultural customs, and to uphold mutual respect with Kenyans.
The embassy emphasized that this isolated incident should not affect broader cooperation between Chinese and Kenyan companies.
The assault provoked a strong response from the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), which labeled the attack a gross violation of the assaulted worker’s rights and dignity.
COTU’s Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, called on the Kenyan Interior Ministry to deport Xiao immediately and urged for more stringent protection of Kenyan workers in foreign-owned enterprises.
He highlighted concerns over harsh working conditions and cultural insensitivity in some foreign investments, particularly in Export Processing Zones (EPZs).
Despite the controversy, the Kenyan worker involved in the assault appeared in a separate video forgiving his supervisor, expressing a willingness to continue working at the factory and resolve future issues peacefully and respectfully.
“I have forgiven him, and I still want to work here. If there is a problem next time we will talk in the office and I will accept my mistake, but I have forgiven him,”
Under Kenyan law, assault causing actual bodily harm can lead to a prison sentence of up to five years, and foreign nationals convicted may face deportation along with revocation of their work permits.
Authorities are expected to investigate the case thoroughly under the relevant Penal Code provisions.