Kenya apologises to China over arrests

alfred kiura

September 7, 2018 10:28 AM

Police say the raid was based on false information

Kenya Police has apologised to the Chinese Government for arresting Chinese workers at China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Wednesday.

The arrest happened when President Uhuru Kenyatta was attending an important meeting to strengthen trade ties with China President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

“The raid on Chinese state-owned broadcaster was based on false information and we sincerely apologise for the mishap, and those detained were released.” Police spokesman Charles Owino told Reuters.

Also Read: China responds after Chinese businessman was recorded hurling insults at Uhuru

Protest letter

The apology comes days after China warned that it would send a protest letter to the Kenyan Government.

The Chinese Foreign ministry, through its spokesperson Hua Chunying during a daily news briefing in Beijing, accused the Kenyan police of arresting the Chinese workers illegally.

China has since accepted the apology saying that Kenya’s crack down on illegal immigrants does not only target China.

“According to what we understand, this action by Kenyan police is part of move on a crackdown on illegal immigration and is neither aimed at nor limited to Chinese citizens.” Hua said.

alfred kiura