Kenya’s main labour federation has called for the deportation of a Chinese national accused of abusing and exploiting workers at a factory in one of the country’s Export Processing Zones (EPZs), prompting an immediate public response from the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi.
In a letter dated Nov. 12 to Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), known as COTU, urged authorities to deport Xiao Jianzhong under Kenya’s immigration and labour laws.
COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli accused Xiao — who reportedly holds Kenyan immigration credentials under Passport No. E0111474 — of “continued labour exploitation, abuse and inhumane treatment” of workers.
According to the Tailors and Textiles Workers Union, Xiao allegedly forced employees into excessively long shifts without overtime pay, denied them toilet breaks, issued verbal insults and threats, and subjected some workers to physical assault and unwanted sexual advances.
Atwoli said the allegations amounted to “gross violations” of Kenyan law and warned that failure to act could undermine worker protections and erode confidence in foreign investment operations.
“We strongly believe that the presence of such individuals undermines the spirit of mutual respect, cooperation and lawful engagement,” he wrote, urging the government to initiate deportation proceedings and engage Beijing diplomatically to prevent similar incidents.
Embassy calls case ‘isolated’
Following public outcry and the circulation of a video allegedly showing a Chinese worker assaulting a Kenyan colleague, the Chinese Embassy said late on Nov. 16 it was “extremely disappointed” by the incident.
The Embassy said it had been informed that the company involved “immediately terminated the Chinese worker’s contract” and was considering further disciplinary measures.
It stressed that Chinese nationals in Kenya must “strictly abide by local laws, regulations and cultural customs,” adding that the case was an “isolated incident” that should not affect broader cooperation.
Growing scrutiny of EPZ labour conditions
Kenya’s EPZs, which attract significant Asian investment due to tax incentives and export advantages, have faced growing scrutiny from labour-rights groups over claims of forced overtime, low wages and abusive management practices.
COTU warned that persistent violations could harm Kenya’s investment climate even as the country seeks to balance worker protections with foreign investment flows from China, its second-largest trading partner.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued a public response by press time. COTU said it is prepared to provide witnesses and documentation to support any government action.