Chinese restaurant in Kenya locks out Africans after 5pm
“It is strictly a no-African policy and we have even had to turn away some prominent Kenyans who were obviously not a security threat,” a restaurant worker told the journalists on conditions of anonymity.
According to the Nairobi News, those locked out included the former Cabinet Secretary for the Interior Joseph ole Lenku, and former education secretary and presidential candidate Joseph ole Kiyiapi.
However, some Africans considered “loyal” can still come in. You have to spend 20,000 Kenyan shilling (about $217) in a certain time period to qualify. The only people allowed in any time are Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju, who are reportedly the owner’s friends.
The move caused an outrage in the media and among local politicians.
“That amounts to racial and ethnic profiling, which is unconstitutional,” said the country’s ombudsman, Otiende Amollo. “It has in it the inherent assumption that Africans are inevitably pre-disposed to be robbers… Whatever measures they choose to take to maintain security must be measures that treat people equally irrespective of race, gender or color.”
The ombudsman called the people who were not admitted to sue for discrimination and contact the National Commission on Human Rights so that the authorities could revoke the restaurant’s license.
UPDATE :27/03/2015
A manager at a Chinese restaurant accused of locking out Africans after 5pm was yesterday charged in a Nairobi court.
Esther Yang is accused of operating class B restaurant without a tourism licence.
Yang was allegedly found operating the restaurant on March 23, at Galana, Kilimani.
She is also accused of engaging in the business without a work permit.
Yang denied the charges before senior resident magistrate Miriam Mugure.
Prosecutor Daniel Karori objected to her release on bail, saying she does not have a fixed abode.
Karori tabled in court a sworn affidavit by investigating officer Charles Wandera.
The officer said the woman did not disclose her home or immigration status when she was interrogated.
Yang was remanded at Lang’ata Women’s Prison until Monday when she will apply for bail.
If convicted, she is liable to a fine of not more than Sh100,000 or 18 months imprisonment, or both.
What are your thoughts on this issue? SMH
Credit: Article first appeared on RT.COM/FILE PHOTO (Reuters / Noor Khamis)/Nairobi News,/allafricaNEWS
