A shocking video showing a Chinese national assaulting a Kenyan employee at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret has ignited widespread public outrage, prompting demands for immediate action from the government, labour unions, and human rights groups. The disturbing footage, which has been widely shared across social media platforms, has renewed concerns over the treatment of Kenyan workers in foreign-owned factories.
Violent Incident Captured on Video
The viral clip, recorded inside the TCM Mabati production floor, shows the Chinese branch manager repeatedly striking a Kenyan factory worker using what appears to be a piece of iron sheet. The aggressor is seen shouting angrily as he hits the worker multiple times while colleagues look on in disbelief.
The victim does not fight back and eventually retreats as other employees intervene.
Additional mobile phone footage surfaced later, showing the same worker stating that he had forgiven the Chinese supervisor and wished to continue working at the factory. However, many Kenyans online dismissed the forgiveness video as coerced, arguing that it should not interfere with legal accountability.
COTU Leads Condemnation, Demands Deportation
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has emerged as one of the strongest voices condemning the assault. Secretary-General Francis Atwoli described the incident as “an unacceptable act of aggression and a slap in the face of Kenyan workers who deserve dignity and respect.”
COTU formally demanded:
- Immediate deportation of the Chinese national
- A criminal investigation leading to prosecution for assault
- Stricter monitoring of foreign-owned factories
- Government assurance of worker safety and labour rights
Atwoli argued that such cases are becoming increasingly common, warning that failure to act decisively would signal that foreign managers can mistreat Kenyan workers without consequences.
Government and Police Launch Investigations
Authorities in Uasin Gishu County confirmed on Monday that they had launched a full investigation. Police officers are analysing the video evidence, interviewing employees, and assessing the victim’s injuries.
Officials from both the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Interior are said to be examining the immigration status of the Chinese manager and whether TCM Mabati has complied with local labour regulations.
However, as of the latest verified updates, there is no confirmation that the Chinese national has been fired. The company has not publicly issued a statement addressing the incident, which has only intensified public frustration.
National Debate on Foreign Investors and Worker Protection
The assault has reignited conversations about labour conditions in factories run by foreign investors, particularly Chinese-owned or Chinese-managed enterprises that have set up across various regions of Kenya.
Labour activists argue that weak enforcement of labour laws, combined with economic dependency on foreign investments, has created environments where violations go unreported or unpunished.
Many Kenyans believe the video is just one example of a deeper systemic problem.
On social media platform X, thousands expressed anger, with hashtags calling for justice trending for hours. Some demanded that TCM Mabati be shut down pending investigation, while others urged the government to conduct random inspections across all foreign-run manufacturing plants.
Worker Safety in the Spotlight
The incident has sparked urgent questions about workplace safety and protection mechanisms for Kenyan workers.
According to union officials:
- Many workers fear retaliation and job loss, making them reluctant to report abuse.
- Some factories employ foreign supervisors who allegedly use intimidation and harsh disciplinary methods.
- Oversight bodies remain underfunded, limiting their ability to enforce compliance.
Human rights experts are now calling for a national labour audit to ensure that all workers—regardless of employer—are treated lawfully and humanely.
What Comes Next
COTU maintains that deportation should be the first step, followed by prosecution under Kenyan law. They also warn that allowing the Chinese manager to remain in the country would undermine both justice and Kenya’s reputation as a nation that protects its people.
As investigations continue, pressure is mounting on TCM Mabati to issue an official statement, compensate the affected worker, and overhaul its supervision and safety protocols.
Kenyans now await decisive government action—not only to resolve this incident but to set a precedent that protects the dignity of every worker across the country.
