The Chinese Embassy in Kenya has responded to public outrage following the circulation of a viral video showing a Chinese national assaulting a Kenyan worker at a private company.

The footage, widely shared across social media platforms, sparked intense criticism and renewed debate on the treatment of Kenyan employees under foreign-owned enterprises.

In a statement, the Embassy expressed disappointment over the incident and confirmed that the company had already terminated the employment of the Chinese worker involved.

However, the matter has since escalated, with the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K), issuing two separate letters, dated November 12 and November 15, condemning recurrent abuses and calling for the immediate deportation of Chinese nationals implicated in labour violations.

Embassy Condemns Incident, Cautions Against Generalisations

In its official statement, the Chinese Embassy acknowledged, “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.”

This opening sets a firm tone of disapproval, signalling that the Embassy does not condone the actions captured in the viral video.

It went further to note that the “company’s management has immediately terminated the Chinese worker’s contract and will consider further disciplinary action.”

The Embassy’s emphasis on immediate corporate response is intended to reassure the public that accountability mechanisms were promptly triggered.

The Embassy also sought to separate the individual’s actions from broader bilateral relations.

It stated, “We believe this isolated incident should not affect investment cooperation between Chinese and Kenyan companies.”

By calling the event “isolated,” the statement attempts to shield Sino-Kenyan economic ties from the fallout while urging Chinese nationals to “uphold the principle of mutual respect” and adhere to Kenyan laws and customs.

This framing reflects diplomatic balancing,  acknowledging wrongdoing while discouraging stigmatization of the wider Chinese business community.

Also Read: COTU Demands Immediate Deportation of Chinese National for Assaulting Kenyan Worker

COTU’s First Letter: A Broader Pattern of Abuse

In stark contrast, COTU’s letter of November 12 presents the assault in a broader context of alleged systemic abuse.

Addressing Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, COTU denounced what it described as “continued labour exploitation, abuse, and inhumane treatment” of Kenyan workers by a Chinese national, Mr. Xiao Jianzhoung, operating within the EPZ.

The union lists severe allegations:

• Excessive working hours without proper compensation,
• Enforced singing of Chinese songs “before, during, and after work” as humiliation,
• Denied toilet breaks,
• Intimidation and psychological distress.

COTU further alleges that Mr. Xiao verbally abused a senior union official who also holds the position of Chairman General of COTU (K), an incident it calls “a grave act of disrespect… to the entire Kenyan labour movement.”

The letter concludes that individuals like Mr. Xiao “undermine the spirit of mutual respect, cooperation, and lawful engagement” between Kenyan workers and foreign investors.

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Second Letter: Linking the Viral Video to a Growing Crisis

On November 15, COTU issued a second letter, this time to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, specifically referencing the newly surfaced viral video from TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret.

COTU termed the incident a “gross violation of the rights and dignity” of the assaulted worker.

Unlike the first letter, which dealt with a different Chinese national and a wider pattern of alleged exploitation, the second letter treats the Eldoret video as further evidence of an escalating trend.

COTU notes, “Just last week, COTU (K) raised concerns and called for the deportation of another Chinese investor who forced Kenyan workers to sing Chinese songs and verbally abused” union leadership.

By linking the two cases, COTU argues that the incidents are not isolated but indicative of a worrying pattern.

The union demands “the immediate deportation of the Chinese national captured on video,” warning that failure to act would betray Kenyan workers’ trust in government institutions.

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Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen. PHOTO/ Murkomen X