Kenyan authorities ordered the shutdown of a Chinese restaurant in Nairobi following an uproar over its policy not to accept African patrons after five o'clock in the afternoon.

The restaurant owners were also summoned after they failed to present proper papers for the restaurant's operation.

Like Us on Facebook

"We have established that the restaurant did not have the licences and I have ordered it closed until the management complies," Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero said.

The Chongquing Chinese Restaurant has been the trending topic in online social media sites due to its seemingly racist policy. The restaurant was said to have begun implementing the policy after it was robbed by unidentified armed gunmen last year.

"We do not admit Africans that we don't know because you never know who is Al-Shabaab and who isn't," said Esther Zhao, the restaurant so-called relations manager. "The Chinese people who stay here or come to dine want to feel safe."

Al-Shabaab is believed to be a Somalia-based group that has links to al-Qaeda.

Someone from the restaurant also said that "only taxi drivers or Africans accompanied by Chinese, European or Indian patrons are allowed into the compound."

It was also reported that the restaurant allows a few loyal elite African patrons. Other Africans can be made to enter the Chinese restaurant as long as they pay at least $200.

"As of now the restaurant will remain closed until they comply with all set rules and regulations. We have deployed security officers around the premises," said Governor Kidero.

"All business and service providers must ensure that all customers and clients are treated with respect and dignity irrespective of race, color, sex, tribe and religion."

A Kenyan government official said the restaurant's policy "amounts to racial and ethnic profiling, which is unconstitutional." The official added that there is no justification for the restaurant's so-called "no-Africans-after-dark-policy."

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted saying that China "will not take the old path of Western colonists." Many presumed that this message went out to the seemingly racist policy of the said Chinese restaurant.

TagsChinese Restaurant, Kenya, racist