A protest involving more than a thousand Kenyan traders took place in Nairobi on Tuesday against a newly opened Chinese-owned retail shop that they believe is undercutting them with very low prices. Similar protests have happened in other African countries, where Chinese traders have been accused of driving local competition out of business. Last year’s Kenyan presidential election saw the country’s relationship with China come under scrutiny, with the winning candidate, William Ruto, promising to publish government contracts with China and deport Chinese nationals working illegally.
Traders are angry about the new China Square retail shop in Nairobi, which offers everyday goods imported from China at prices around 50% cheaper than local traders.
The protesters marched to the offices of the deputy president and parliament to submit a petition against the Chinese retailers. The Kenyan Trade Minister has offered to take over the lease from the Chinese owner and give it to local traders, but the principal secretary at Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry has stressed that all investors are welcome, regardless of nationality.
Wu Peng, the top Africa official at China’s foreign affairs ministry, welcomed this statement on Twitter. The owner of China Square said he was inspired to open the shop after finding prices at a Nairobi supermarket to be too high. In November, President Ruto followed through on his campaign promise to publish documents related to $3bn in loans for a Chinese-built railway, which could put a strain on Kenya’s relationship with China.
