Kaz Defends Alchemist Amid Racial Discrimination Allegations ¶
On May 31, 2022, Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu ordered the closure of Alchemist Bar in Westlands following a viral video showing racial segregation at the establishment.
Singer and actress Karen Lucas, popularly known as Kaz, has come to the defense of the bar, blaming Kenyans online for its closure.
Kaz, a sex and relationship expert, took to social media to express her support for the bar, stating that the actions of netizens had resulted in loss of livelihoods for the bar's employees.
"The number of jobs, hungry homes and loss the Alchemist has had to suffer at the hand of keyboard bullies is just despicable. You have no idea how powerful your phones are until you are responsible for all the mouths that go hungry because of your actions," she wrote.
However, her remarks have drawn an immediate response from Kenyans on Twitter (KOT), with many criticizing her stance on the matter.
"Karen Kaz Lucas is being very, very unserious," tweeted @brendawambui. "It was totally in the Alchemist’s control whether to be racist or not. They chose to be racist."
Others have also questioned Kaz's defense of the bar, pointing out that she could have hired the employees who lost their jobs due to the bar's discriminatory practices.
Alchemist Bar has been at the center of controversy following the viral video, with some members of the public claiming there have been similar incidents at the club in the past, including one in 2016 when it was reported that the establishment’s security team denied entry to non-Caucasian clients.
