The Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya) has called for the immediate deportation of two Chinese nationals accused of labour exploitation, assault, and violating the rights of Kenyan workers.
In separate letters addressed to Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, COTU (K) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli issued strong protests over what the union terms rogue behaviour by foreign investors operating in the country.
“These practices flagrantly violate Kenya’s labour laws and international labour standards,” Atwoli said.
In the first letter, Atwoli accused a Chinese national, Xiao Jianzhoung—identified by passport and Kenya Revenue Authority credentials—of subjecting employees at his Export Processing Zone (EPZ) company to inhumane and illegal working conditions.
According to reports from the Tailors and Textile Workers Union, the workers were allegedly forced to work excessively long hours without overtime pay, denied or restricted access to toilets, and compelled to sing Chinese songs before, during, and after work.
COTU (K) further claimed the employees operated in an environment of fear and intimidation, describing the workplace as psychologically and physically distressing.
The union also expressed outrage after Xiao allegedly verbally abused the General Secretary of the Tailors and Textile Workers Union, who also serves as COTU (K)’s Chairman General.
Atwoli termed the incident a grave act of disrespect to the Kenyan labour movement and evidence of blatant disregard for the country’s sovereignty.
The union urged the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to initiate immediate deportation proceedings in line with Kenya’s immigration and labour laws, and to relay the matter to the Chinese diplomatic mission to prevent recurrence of such conduct.
In the second letter, addressed to Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Atwoli raised alarm over a viral video showing another Chinese national—allegedly a manager at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret—assaulting a Kenyan worker.
“We will not stand by and watch the dignity of Kenyan workers violated by some rogue Chinese employers operating within our borders,” Atwoli warned.
COTU (K) described the incident as a gross violation of the worker’s dignity and part of a worrying trend of abuse by some foreign employers.
Atwoli linked the Eldoret incident to the earlier EPZ case, saying the union would not tolerate mistreatment of Kenyan workers by rogue Chinese employers.
He insisted that failing to deport the individual captured in the video would amount to a betrayal of Kenyan workers’ trust in the government.
COTU (K) also called on the Interior Ministry, together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to strengthen compliance and enforcement measures targeting enterprises run by foreign nationals to ensure labour laws are respected.
The union expressed readiness to provide further details and witness testimony to aid government action, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of Kenyan workers.
