COTU Demands Immediate Deportation of Chinese Manager After Viral Assault on Kenyan Worker

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has issued a forceful and unequivocal demand for the immediate deportation of a Chinese national identified as a factory manager in Eldoret, following the circulation of a disturbing viral video that captured him physically assaulting a Kenyan employee.

The incident, which has ignited public outrage and brought the contentious issue of labour relations in foreign-owned enterprises back into sharp focus, was swiftly condemned by the country’s largest trade union body.

The manager, whose identity was not immediately released but was confirmed by COTU to be employed at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret County, was filmed kicking and slapping the Kenyan worker under his supervision.

The undated video shows the local employee attempting to defend himself during the confrontation, a vivid depiction of workplace abuse that COTU has labelled a “gross violation of the rights and dignity” of the affected individual.

In a sharply worded official statement, COTU-K addressed its demand directly to the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen.

The union articulated that the continued presence of the foreign manager was untenable and an affront to national dignity, pressing the government to act decisively to safeguard the rights of its citizens.

“We will not allow the assault of Kenyan workers by foreigners,” the COTU statement declared, making the case that the incident necessitated a punitive and immediate response from the State. The union went further to politicise the demand, asserting that “anything less [than immediate deportation] would be a betrayal of the trust Kenyan workers have placed in your Ministry.”

This direct challenge places significant political pressure on CS Murkomen, requiring a prompt and visible action to avoid the perception of government indifference towards the welfare of the local labour force.

Beyond the immediate crisis, COTU utilised the high-profile incident to advocate for systemic change. The union urged CS Murkomen, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to implement robust mechanisms for increased oversight of foreign-run enterprises operating within the country.

This secondary but crucial demand calls for strengthening monitoring, compliance, and enforcement measures related to labour practices, ensuring that foreign investors adhere strictly to Kenyan labour laws and international best practices regarding worker treatment and safety.

The widespread condemnation and demands for swift action were, however, complicated by a subsequent development involving the victim himself. In a video released shortly after the initial incident went viral, the assaulted Kenyan worker appeared to recant his demand for justice, stating he had “forgiven” his supervisor and expressed a desire to retain his employment at TCM Mabati Factory.

“I have forgiven him and I still want to work here,” the worker said in the Sunday video, addressing the incident with a tone of capitulation. He added, “If there is a problem next time we will talk in the office and I will accept my mistake but I have forgiven him.”

This forced expression of forgiveness has generated further debate, with observers and labour rights advocates suggesting that the worker’s reversal may stem from duress, or a pragmatic fear of job loss in Kenya’s challenging economic environment.

Critics argue that the victim’s public pardon underscores the precarious position of local workers who often tolerate abuse due to a lack of viable alternative employment, effectively trading personal dignity for economic security.

Labour analysts suggest that the worker’s statement, irrespective of its sincerity, should not diminish the gravity of the manager’s assault, which remains a criminal matter and a clear violation of labour regulations. COTU’s position remains that the violation is fundamental and requires a national, policy-driven response that supersedes the individual worker’s circumstances or ability to forgive.

The Eldoret incident is not an isolated occurrence but appears to be part of a worrying pattern that COTU has tracked among certain foreign investors. The union had previously raised similar, high-level concerns regarding another Chinese investor operating within an Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

In that earlier case, the union had called for deportation after the investor was found to be forcing Kenyan workers to engage in demeaning practices, including singing Chinese songs before, during, and and after work. The same investor was also accused of verbally abusing the General Secretary of the Tailors and Textile Workers Union, highlighting a persistent disrespect for Kenyan sovereignty and labour organisation leadership.

The recurrence of such incidents points to a gaping regulatory void in the oversight of foreign investments, particularly in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors where foreign nationals often occupy management positions over a large local workforce.

The government now faces a crucial test: either to affirm its commitment to the dignity and legal protections of its workers through immediate deportation, or risk validating the concerns that foreign capital is often prioritized over the welfare of Kenyan citizens.

As the nation awaits a formal response from CS Murkomen’s office, the case has become a lightning rod for the broader discussion on ethics, sovereignty, and the enforcement of local law within multinational corporations.

The decision regarding the TCM Mabati Factory manager will not only determine the fate of one individual but will also set a pivotal legal and moral precedent for every foreign employer operating on Kenyan soil. COTU has thus positioned the Interior Ministry’s forthcoming action as a definitive indicator of the government’s commitment to its people.