NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 26- Kenyan Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has deleted a tweet in which he called for the closure of China Square, a retail store run by Chinese businessman Lei Cheng.
The tweet, which was posted on February 24th, had drawn widespread criticism for its xenophobic and inflammatory language.
In the tweet, Kuria called for the closure of China Square and for the store’s lease to be handed over to Kenyan traders.
He accused Cheng of “exploiting” Kenyan consumers by offering low-priced goods, and claimed that the store had driven Kenyan traders out of business.
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The tweet sparked a furious backlash, with many Kenyans accusing Kuria of racism and calling for him to apologize. In response, Kuria deleted the tweet and issued a statement in which he sought to clarify his position.
Kuria’s statement did little to mollify his critics, however.
Many pointed out that his tweet had played into a long-standing narrative of xenophobia and anti-Chinese sentiment in Kenya, which has been fueled by fears of Chinese economic domination and allegations of unfair trade practices.
“We are here to break the monopoly,” Cheng said in an interview with the Kenyan newspaper The Nation. “The people who are fighting us feel threatened because Kenyans now know we exist and we are not exploiting them in pricing.”
Cheng’s comments have been met with mixed reactions from Kenyan traders and consumers. Some have praised him for offering affordable goods, while others have accused him of undercutting local businesses and driving them out of business.
The controversy over China Square highlights the challenges facing Kenya as it seeks to attract foreign investment and expand its economy.
While foreign investment is seen as a key driver of economic growth and development, there are concerns that it may come at the expense of local businesses and workers.
As Kenya continues to grapple with these challenges, it is likely that the debate over China Square and other foreign-owned businesses will continue to be a contentious issue.
While some see these businesses as a source of economic opportunity and growth, others see them as a threat to local interests and values.
The challenge for Kenya will be to strike a balance between these competing interests and to ensure that its economic development is sustainable, equitable, and inclusive.
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