COTU demands immediate deportation of Chinese manager filmed assaulting Kenyan worker

A screengrab showing the Chinese national who was filmed assaulting a Kenyan worker at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret.

By Lucy Mumbi
Sunday, November 16, 2025

Atwoli described the incident as unacceptable, calling on the government to act swiftly to safeguard the rights and dignity of Kenyan workers employed by foreign investors.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU) has written to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, demanding the immediate deportation of a Chinese national filmed assaulting a Kenyan worker at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret.

In a letter dated November 15, 2025, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli described the incident as unacceptable, calling on the government to act swiftly to safeguard the rights and dignity of Kenyan workers employed by foreign investors.

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The incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media platforms, shows the factory manager striking the worker repeatedly with an iron sheet as the employee tried to shield himself. The footage sparked national outrage and prompted calls for legal action.

“We are appalled by this incident, which is a gross violation of the rights and dignity of the affected worker. We will not stand by and watch the dignity of Kenyan workers violated by rogue Chinese employers operating within our borders,” Atwoli said.

He not only demanded the deportation of the manager involved at TCM Mabati Factory but also urged authorities to remove other foreign investors accused of abusing Kenyan workers.

In another letter dated November 12, 2025 and addressed to Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, the union highlighted a case in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), where a Chinese employer reportedly forced workers to sing Chinese songs before, during and after work, while verbally abusing the union leadership.

Atwoli called for the immediate deportation of the employer, Mr Xiao Jianzhoung, holder of Passport No. EK0111747 and KRA PIN A020278066C, citing continued labour exploitation, abuse and inhumane treatment of Kenyan workers.

“Through his company operating within the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), Mr Xiao has subjected Kenyan workers to deplorable working conditions that flagrantly violate Kenya's labour laws and international labour standards,” reads the letter.

“Reports from the Tailors and Textile Workers Union, which is duly affiliated to COTU (K), reveal that workers under his supervision are forced to; Work excessively long hours without fair compensation or overtime pay, sing Chinese songs before, during, and after work as a form of coercion and humiliation, endure denial of basic human needs, including restricted or denied toilet breaks and work under fear and intimidation, creating an environment of psychological and physical distress.”

COTU also called on the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to strengthen monitoring and enforcement measures for enterprises run by foreign nationals.

“Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust Kenyan workers have placed in your Ministry and the Government at large,” the union warned.

Meanwhile, a separate video has emerged showing the Eldoret worker shaking hands with the manager, saying he had forgiven him and would continue working at the factory.

“I have forgiven him, and I do not have a problem with him anymore, and I still want to work here. Next time, if there is a problem, he will call me to his office and I will accept my mistakes. But I have forgiven him. I will not listen to what people say because the disagreement has ended. He is my boss, and he will remain my boss,” the worker said.

The video, however, drew criticism online, with some Kenyans describing the relationship as toxic and questioning whether the worker had been pressured to record the statement.