Chinese envoy condemns looting of Chinese restaurant

The Chinese envoy Liu Xianfa to Kenya has condemned the looting by Kenyan youths of a Chinese restaurant facing accusations of racism, saying it is unacceptable.

"Today, we are shocked by the news that a group of so-called "protesters" engaged in wanton looting and vandalizing of the Chongqing Chinese restaurant, which has recently been criticized by denying entry of local people at night. The restaurant suffered valuables loss and property damage. Fortunately, no injury or casualty occurred due to shutdown of the Chinese restaurant," he said in a statement.

"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. The Kenyan government has assured that thorough investigations will be conducted and the perpetrators brought to justice," the envoy added.

Rioting youth yesterday morning stormed a Chinese restaurant at the center of a 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 the 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 youth also brought out some furniture and burnt them at the gate of the restaurant before the police arrived to disperse them.

“They abused the freedom to demonstrate. We are looking for the leader off the group so we can charge him with malicious damage and theft” Mr Katam said.

The youth had placards condemning racism and asking the government to deport those foreigners who discriminate against Kenyans. The Director of the restaurant, Zhao Yang was Thursday charged before a criminal court in Nairobi with being in the country illegally and operating a business without a permit.

TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE

The restaurant hit headlines following reports by the media that the restaurant did not accept black people after 5.00pm.

Director of Public Prosecution was allowed by the court on Thursday to detain Ms Zhao Yang for two days after it emerged that she stayed in the country for close to two years without permission.
The court ordered Ms Zhao detained at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison after the DPP objected to her release on bail on the grounds that she was a foreigner and had refused to surrender and disclose details of her immigration status.

She denied the charges, which 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.”

Ms Zhao has also been charged with being engaged in employment without a work permit. Ms Zhao is the relations manager at the restaurant, which had a strict “no-African after 5pm” policy. The case will be mentioned on Monday.

Operators of other Chinese Restaurants have expressed their concerns over the future of their businesses following the negative publicity.

“The number of customers has gone down and other Kenyans keep asking people who eat here why they are eating bad food. Customers are going away” the Director of the Ginza Restaurant, Mei Hong said.