Nairobi County Assembly widens Chandarana Foodplus probe

NAIROBI, KENYA: Nairobi County Assembly has directed its two committees to dig deeper into the employment status and remuneration of black people at Chandarana Foodplus Supermarket that is accused of racial prejudice.

Justice, Legal Affairs and Trade committees will establish the current inter-racial employment ration in the establishment and details on salaries for all the staff and the same be accompanied with evidence.

Chandarana stirred storm with a racial discrimination event after an internal email leaked that directed special attention on their white clients only across their 13 branches in Nairobi.

It read in part; “We are delighted to inform you that our supermarket chain would like to give you free vouchers to winner/raffles/best performer/runners up candidate in upcoming events. As we are now focusing on white people to attract our supermarkets,” it reads.

It has since acknowledged the email communication and apologised terming it insensitive but the city MCAs want more than the revocation of their licenses as directed by Governor Mike Sonko.

“We want to know when the alleged discriminations against the indigenous community actually happened. And whether the orders by Sonko were effected,” said Karen MCA David Mberia.

Mberia who prompted assembly to probe and act on the establishment also requested the two committees to scrutinise other enterprises linked to racial profiling and what actions the county executive wing has in store for such discriminatory establishments.

Makongeni ward rep Peter Imwatok termed the issue as emotive saying’. “It is also not an issue before a court of law or headed that way but one on cancelation of licensing. We need to go deeper into this issue” Imwatok said.

Deputy Speaker John Kamangu after weighing the matter directed the two committees to table probe report by beginning of September.