Wayne Lumbasi
The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K), led by Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, has demanded the immediate deportation of a Chinese national following the circulation of a viral video showing him assaulting a Kenyan factory worker.
The footage, captured at the TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret, shows the Chinese manager kicking and striking the employee with a sheet of iron, while other workers look on in shock. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, highlighting ongoing concerns about labor rights and the treatment of Kenyan employees in foreign-run companies.
In a surprising turn, a second video emerged showing the assaulted worker shaking hands with the manager, forgiving him, and expressing a desire to continue working under his supervision. While some interpreted this as reconciliation, others question whether the act was voluntary, reflecting the complex power dynamics between foreign employers and local workers. Regardless, the original assault has already raised serious questions about workplace safety and employee dignity.
COTU acted swiftly, with Atwoli describing the assault as a “gross violation” of Kenyan workers’ rights and dignity. In a formal letter to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, he demanded that the Chinese national be deported immediately, warning that any failure to act would constitute a betrayal of the trust Kenyan workers place in their government.
The union also called on the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of labor standards, especially in foreign-managed enterprises, to prevent future abuses.
The union pointed out that this case is not an isolated incident. COTU highlighted another Chinese investor in Kenya’s Export Processing Zones (EPZs) accused of forcing workers to sing Chinese songs before, during, and after their shifts, while also imposing long hours without proper compensation. In both cases, COTU argues that the incidents demonstrate systemic gaps in oversight and accountability, calling for urgent reforms to protect Kenyan workers.
This case underscores several critical issues. Kenyan workers must be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the nationality of their employer. The government faces the challenge of balancing strict enforcement of labor laws with the need to maintain Kenya’s attractiveness to foreign investors. Deportation carries legal and diplomatic implications, yet inaction risks eroding public confidence in the protection of workers’ rights.
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