Chinese eatery suffers losses in youths’ riot

A police officer inspects the damage caused by rioting youths at Chongqing Chinese Restaurant in Kilimani, Nairobi, on March 27, 2015. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA |

What you need to know:

  • Embassy condemns raid, calls for action against culprits.
  • The group carried placards condemning racism; demanding deportation of those found culpable.

Rioting youths on Friday morning stormed a city Chinese restaurant at the centre of racism controversy, damaged property and made away with goods of unknown value.

Kilimani OCPD Peter Katam said the group of 30 to 40 people with placards went to Chongqing Chinese Restaurant at about 10am and forced their way into the compound.

“They overpowered the security guard and broke into the restaurant. They then took drinks, utensils, electronics and other things,” Mr Katam said.

He said the youths also brought out some furniture and burnt them at the gate of the restaurant before police arrived to disperse them.

“They abused the freedom to demonstrate. We are looking for their leader so we can charge him with malicious damage to property and theft,” Mr Katam added.

The youths had placards condemning racism and asking the government to deport foreigners who discriminate against Kenyans.

DIRECTOR CHARGED

A director of the restaurant, Ms Zhao Yang was on Thursday charged in a Nairobi court with being in the country illegally and operating a business without a permit.

She was remanded at Lang’ata Women’s Prison until Monday when her bail application will be considered.

The incident was immediately condemned by the Chinese Ambassador Liu Xianfa.

The envoy expressed shock at the raid in which, he said, the restaurant incurred losses due to property damage.

“Such violence was totally unacceptable and will only escalate and complicate the situation that had already been quieted down.

“We strongly condemn such a violent act and have already made solemn representations to the Kenyan government, urging it to take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights as well as safety and property of Chinese nationals in Kenya,” he said.

Mr Liu further said the Kenya government has assured him that thorough investigations will be conducted into the incident and perpetrators brought to book.

The restaurant hit the headlines last week following reports that it does not allow black people in after 5pm.

On Thursday, Ms Zhao denied the charges brought up against her by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The DPP opposed her release on bail, saying she was a foreigner and had refused to surrender and disclose details of her immigration status.

The charges read that “on March 23 at around 11am, along Galana Road in Kilimani, Nairobi, being the manager of the eatery identified as the Chinese Restaurant, jointly with others not before the court, was found operating the restaurant in contravention of a section of the law restricting the operation of a Class B restaurant without a tourism license”.