Only taxi drivers and Africans accompanied by European, Chinese or Indian guests are allowed into the restaurant after 5pm.

A food outlet in Kenya named ‘The Chinese restaurant’ has made headlines after it emerged that it carried a strict ‘no Africans after 5pm’ rule.

According to the DailyNation, the decision to deny access to Africans was reached in 2014 after the establishment was robbed by a gang posing as patrons.

A recent warning from the Chinese embassy over Al Shabaab’s increased threat was also one of the reasons given for the prejudicial rule.

“We don’t admit Africans that we don’t know because you never know who is Al-Shabaab and who isn’t,” Esther Zhao, a PR manager with the restaurant, reportedly told the Nairobi News.

“It is not like it is written on somebody’s face that they are a thug armed with a gun.”

The only people who are reportedly immune to the rule are Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju, who are said to be the owner’s friends.

Africans “loyal” customers can still come in if they are prepared to part with a fee of 20,000 Kenyan shilling (about $217) in a certain time period to qualify.

The ombudsman has called on those who were not admitted to sue for discrimination and contact the country’s National Commission on Human Rights for help.

UPDATE:

The Nairobi government has closed down the Chinese restaurant. Reasons given in a press statement are:

The owners of the restaurant have no Change of User from Residential to Commercial, which is a requirement to operate a business in Nairobi.

The owners have no valid liquor licence and had not complied with the public health requirements for food handling and testing.

"As of now the Nairobi City County has closed down the premise... The county has deployed security officers and the premise will remain closed," said county PR officer Beryl Okundi.