Tourism stake holders want Chinese chef’s work permit revoked after caning incident

Deng Hailan, Ou Qiang, Yu Ling, Chang Yueping at a Milimani court where the police applied to be given 21 days’ custodial orders in order for them to investigate them in an assault case that happened at Kilimani area. The ruling of the application will be delivered on February 13. [George Njunge, Standard]

Tourism players have reacted angrily to video footage showing a Chinese national caning a Kenyan worker at a Nairobi hotel.

The Association of Hotel Professionals in Kenya through its national chairman, Robert Kinyua called on the government to act expeditiously on claims that the worker being whipped was reportedly late for work.

''We cannot allow such acts to go unpunished. Let the suspect face the full force of the law,'' Kinyua said.

He added: '' We join other concerned Kenyans in calling for absolute and thorough investigations into the matter and urge authorities to move with speed and revoke work permit issued to the foreigner,'' Kimyua said.

At the same time, Kinyua in a letter to Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Mr Najib Balala called for an immediate forensic audit on all foreigners working in the hospitality industry.

'' We have information that there are many foreigners working in hotels including star rated establishments with dubious and fake qualifications,'' Kinyua said.

In the caning incident, it is reported that the Chinese worker who served as chef at the Chez Wou Restaurant in Kileleshwa, Nairobi assaulted the Kenyan worker.

Nairobi police boss, Mr Philip Ndolo confirmed that police arrested the suspect alongside three other Chinese nationals working at the same hotel.

Deng Hailan, Ou Qiang, Yu Ling, Chang Yueping were arraigned at a Milimani court yesterday. They were charged with assault. Police applied to be given custodial order to detain them for 21 days as probe into the Saturday incident continues.

After the incident, the Chinese Embassy gave a statement calling on the Kenyan authorities to take legal action against the four suspects arrested in the incident.

“The embassy noticed a video clip about a Chinese chef and Kenyan colleague issued by K24 TV today (Saturday). We support the Kenyan police to investigate the whole issue thoroughly according to Kenyan laws. Whoever violating the law will face the legal consequences,” the embassy said in a tweet.

The ruling of the application will be delivered on February 13.