Chandarana Foodplus Supermarket has taken disciplinary action against an employee who authored a controversial promotion email which indicated that the outlet now focuses on white people.
In a letter addressed to Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who had directed that Chandarana business licences be revoked, the store’s management said they agreed the email in question may have inadvertently profiled some of its customers.
“In addition to an apology released to the public on Saturday, the management has commenced the disciplinary process on the employee who authored the promotion communication, which will guide our steps on addressing the matter conclusively,” director Dipam Thakkar said in part.
The director noted that a majority of their employees are Kenyans, adding that their supplies are also from the local market.
“Chandarana supermarket has operated for 50 years, it was started in as a small shop in Eastleigh and it has now grown into a mainstream supermarket with 13 branches countrywide thanks to the support of our esteemed customers, suppliers and the government,” added the director.
“We are a leading employer in Kenya with 1246 employees on our payroll in various capacities including management. You will be happy to know that out of this number only 3% are expatriates. We also get our supplies from over 2500 suppliers, 95% being local companies.”
Thakkar also pleaded with Sonko’s government to spare the business saying it benefits over one million people in both direct and indirect employment.
“We endeavour to employ more of our Kenyan brothers.”
“Generally, our business touches the lives of close to one million people,” Thakkar said.
The management further observed it was putting in place necessary structures to avert a similar incident in the future.
“Once again we apologize for the incident as we put in place the necessary structures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents,” said Chandarana.
