Media storm hits Nairobi over restaurant's 'no-Africans after 5' ban
For more:
- The Voice: Chinese restaurant in Kenya bans African customers after 5pm... A Chinese restaurant in the Kenyan capital is banning African customers from 5pm, insisting they pose a security threat to their other guests.
Apparently, however, reports The Voice, taxi drivers and Africans accompanied by European, Chinese or Indian guests can be admitted after 5pm.
The move caused outrage in the media and among local politicians.
According to The Voice report, the restaurant's management took the step because it was robbed last year - presumably not by a taxi driver or African accompanied by a white, Indian or Chinese person - and due to the 'criminals situation'.
Esther Zhao, a PR manager with the restaurant, told the Nairobi News that "It is not like it is written on somebody's face that they are a thug armed with a gun," and reportsThe Voice, she says that "the guests of the restaurant feel safer and more comfortable if African customers are kept away".
In case you think it's only the man-in-the-street who is affected, think again.
The Voice reports (quoting the Nairobi News) that "those locked out included the former Cabinet Secretary for the Interior Joseph ole Lenku, and former education secretary and presidential candidate Joseph ole Kiyiapi."
But money talks... it seems that some Africans considered "loyal" can still enjoy Chinese cuisine after 5pm, though they have to spend Ksh20,000 Kenyan (about R2500) in a certain time period to qualify.
However, they may find themselves waiting quite a while for the pleasure of doing so, as The Guardian reports the restaurant owner has since been arrested. In a twist of fate, it seems the outcry led authorities to realise the owner had been operating the restaurant without a valid licence.
And there's more: The Daily Mail says that the restaurant will remain "shut down" until the owner complies with the proper licenses.
How's that for a piping hot plate of karma...
