Chinese nationals in assault case plead to be deported, say they have suffered

The four Chinese nationals who were arrested after one on them was caught on camera beating a Kenyan employee at Chez Wou restaurant in Kileleshwa Nairobi, now say they are ready to be deported back to China.

This comes days after the four suspects, Deng Hailan, Chang Yueping, Ou Qiang and Yu Ling, filed an application challenging the deportation order by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’I on February 13.

Through their lawyer Abdulhakim Abdullahi, the Chinese citizens told High Court Judge Luka Kimaru that they are now ready to go back to China saying they have suffered.

However, the four Chinese nationals will have to wait as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) filed an affidavit requesting to dismiss their request saying it’s an abuse of court order.

“The investigations against the suspects is ongoing and critical since we are still pursuing the employer /owner of the hotel who has since gone into hiding having learnt of the arrest of the suspects,” read the affidavit.

In a video that went viral, Deng Hailan was captured caning a Kenyan employee for allegedly reporting to work late.

Chang Yueping and Ou Qiang, who are chefs at the restaurant, were also arrested to reportedly holding expired visas.

The fourth suspect Yu Ling was arrested for not having a work permit. He was a cashier at the restaurant.

Their case was set to be mentioned on March 4, but Matiang’I gave a directive to deport them despite a court order to detain them for 15 days to allow investigations.

“The court has considered the fact that the suspects are a flight risk and they will abscond court if released. I allow their detention for 15 days,” ruled Principal Magistrate Hellen Okwani.