Swahili Village DC, a fine-dining establishment recognized for its upscale dining experience and founded by restaurateurs Kevin Onyona and Emad Shoeb, now faces a lawsuit for alleged worker exploitation and wage theft. The restaurant, known for catering to dignitaries and diplomats, is under scrutiny for reportedly profiting at the expense of its employees, particularly those belonging to marginalized communities, including African immigrants.
Operated by experienced figures in the restaurant industry, Kevin Onyona, a Kenyan, and Emad Shoeb, Swahili Village DC, now stand accused of violating labor laws by systematically underpaying its workforce. The allegations extend to violations of minimum wage requirements, mismanagement of tips, and the denial of overtime pay and sick leave entitlements.
The lawsuit seen by the Nairobi Law Monthly points directly at Onyona and Shoeb’s leadership, highlighting their involvement in these alleged infractions. The lawsuit asserts that the restaurant consistently coerced workers to surrender their tips, retaining a significant portion of the sum. Further, the lawsuit claims that Swahili Village DC did not fulfill its obligation to provide overtime pay to employees, nor did it grant paid sick leave during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lawsuit underscores that these alleged violations were not incidental but constituted a calculated business strategy. The restaurant’s practices allegedly led to financial harm for its employees, many of whom are low-wage workers living paycheck to paycheck.
The lawsuit argues that Swahili Village DC’s actions contradicted the principles they espoused. The restaurant, which opened its doors during the height of the pandemic in March 2020, is being accused of exploiting its workforce for gains despite claims of community engagement and charity. The lawsuit contends that the defendants continued these practices even as business rebounded in 2021.
The lawsuit aims to recover owed wages and applicable penalties for the affected employees. It highlights that the restaurant’s success was built on the labour of its workers, many of whom are people of colour and African immigrants, including Kenyan heritage.
The lawsuit also exposes that this alleged behaviour was not limited to Swahili Village, DC alone. Kevin Onyona and Emad Shoeb have ties to other Swahili Village establishments, creating a chain of related restaurants. Despite their extensive industry experience, the lawsuit claims that the defendants failed to uphold basic restaurant standards, placing workers in vulnerable positions and undermining their financial security.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
