American based Kenyan food outlet Swahili Village has reached a settlement with the District of Colombia.
Swahili village founder, Kevin Onyona, reached a no-fault agreement after being accused of wage theft, concluding a year-long legal dispute.
Speaking to the press on July 25, he stated that the decision was voluntary even as he asserted that the restaurant took the step to allow the business re-focus on its core mission of providing service to its customers.
“We were not ordered by anyone to do so, not the DC Attorney general nor the courts. Clause 18 of the agreement makes it very clear that the settlement of this lawsuit, takes place on a no-fault basis,”
In addition, he emphasized that the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing while noting that there was no admission of truth of any of the factual allegations in the lawsuit.
“This is not an admission of wrongdoing. No evidence of any wrongdoing or liability is accepted. There is also no admission of truth of any of the factual allegations in the lawsuit,” he said in part.
“It may also not be used as an admission or evidence of any fault or omission in any civil, criminal or administrative proceedings in any court, administrative agency or other tribunal,” Onyona added.
Also Read: Kenyan Swahili Village in U.S Fined Ksh67M Over Wage Theft
Swahili Village Lawsuit
Swahili Village woes came to the limelight after the office of the Attorney General (AG) held that the restaurant management stole wages and tips from servers, hosts, food runners and bartenders, by paying as little as $5 an hour.
As such, Onyona was accused of wage theft, a grave accusation that has tarnished the restaurant’s reputation. According to the AG, Onyona and the business executives are accused of systematically violating the city’s tipped minimum wage law and mistreating their employees.
They are alleged to have claimed tips meant for their hardworking staff, leaving them with meager wages, and paying rates below the legal minimum wage.
Former Swahili Village bartender Rowles Adams spoke on the conditions of the working environment citing mistreatment from managers.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to lawyers who heeded their pleas and took up the case to assist them get justice.
“For months, I saw managers mistreat my coworkers, including many young immigrants who did not even realize that what was happening was wrong.
“I spoke out, but it didn’t change things. I’m so grateful that the lawyers from the attorney general’s office heard our plea for help and stood with us to get justice,” former Swahili Village bartender Rowles Adams said.
This came after Onyona told the Washingtonian in late 2020, that the DC location was failing and that 65 staff had been laid go.
Also Read: Meet American TikToker Fluent in Swahili, Living in Kenyan Village
About the Restaurant
Swahili Village, a multimillion Kenyan-owned restaurant chain, has become a beacon of East African culture, attracting patrons from diverse backgrounds in the United States.
Behind the Swahili Village is its CEO Kevin Onyona, a cancer survivor whose indomitable spirit has been the driving force behind this remarkable enterprise.
According to Onyona, the idea came while searching for restroom facilities in Maryland.
In the bustling streets of New Jersey, amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling city life, there exists a culinary gem that embodies the spirit of Kenya.
The iconic venture caught the attention of President William Ruto, during his US tour. “Visited Swahili Village in New Jersey, United States, an enterprise run by a Kenyan businessman Kevin Onyona,” stated Ruto.
Ruto lauded CEO Kevin Onyona for his unwavering commitment to flying the Kenyan flag high.
“Witnessing the success of thriving Kenyans abroad propels our resolve to intensify our foreign relations efforts aimed at broadening opportunities for many more,” Ruto said then.
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