A foreigner working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been laid off after he allegedly hurled racial insults at a Kenyan security guard at Nairobi’s Lavington Mall.
Standard Media reported that the unnamed foreigner called the security guard an ape.
ICRC was forced to investigate the allegations after Kenyan netizens including the Secretary of Innovation, Digital and Diaspora Communication in the Office of the President Dennis Itumbi raised concern over the case. On Sunday through his twitter handle, Itumbi raised the matter with ICRC.
"Dear @IFRCAfrica @ifrc - this gentleman a few minutes ago, was Insulting guards at Nairobi's Lavington Mall. A concerned lady whose only interest was to protect the good name of your organization tried to calm him down and he dismissed her as a F*** Monkey. Racism and IFRC? #KOT," Itumbi's tweet read.
ICRC, later on, confirmed that indeed the said man was a member of its staff.
"Thanks @OleItumbi for bringing this to attention. We confirm that this is our staff and vehicle. We do not condone insulting behaviour and racism by our staff. We are investigating the matter and will take the necessary action. Apologies to those involved," read ICRC's response to Itumbi.
On Monday, ICRC announced that it had terminated the foreigner's assignment in Kenya. In the statement, ICRC appreciated the people who raised the matter and more specifically those who made time to meet with its team.
“The ICRC has a long presence in Kenya, one that has been made possible by our relationships with the public, Kenyan authorities, our partners at the Kenya Red Cross, our dedicated staff, and above all, the communities we are here to serve," part of the statement read as quoted by the Standard Media.