The Chinese embassy in Nairobi confirmed the dismissal of its national captured in a viral video while assaulting a Kenyan staff.
It termed the incident isolated.
The two were working at a private company together before the vicious attack happened.
The reason for the attack by the Chinese national was not immediately known.
It unfolded inside what appeared to be a mabati factory.
The confrontation was caught on camera as the Chinese national picked up an iron sheet from a pile that lay on the floor and used it to assault the helpless worker who raised his hands as if to plead for mercy without retaliating.
Kenyans weighed in online terming the incident a clear case of toxic employee-employer relationship. In an undated video that went viral on social media platforms, sparking mass uproar, the man is seen hitting the Kenyan worker with roofing materials, inside what seems like a warehouse.
The video is said to have been captured at the TCM Mabati Factory in Uasin Gishu County, where the perpetrator works as a manager.
In a statement on Monday, the Chinese embassy in Kenya condemned the actions and urged all its nationals to abide by Kenyan laws.
“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.”
On Sunday, Kenya’s Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) had rebuked the actions, calling for the deportation of the Chinese national.
COTU said that the Chinese national was a manager at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret County, and the assaulted worker was working under his supervision.
Union Secretary General Francis Atwoli said that the incident was a gross violation of the rights and dignity of the affected and will not allow the assault of Kenyan workers by foreigners.
It therefore called for an immediate deportation of the Chinese worker and “anything less would be a betrayal of the trust Kenyan workers have placed in your Ministry”.
In a separate video that has since gone viral, the assaulted worker appeared to make amends with the Chinese national, saying he had “forgiven his supervisor and they will deal with similar matters in civility.”
“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,” the worker said in a video after the incident.
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