A Nairobi nightclub has drawn renewed controversy over racial discrimination claims after a video showed bouncers directing Black patrons to a separate queue on May 29, 2022. The Alchemist in Westlands temporarily closed following Nairobi County Government intervention as investigations continue.
The footage, shared on social media, depicted a Black patron being redirected from a line for lighter-skinned individuals to a "commoner’s line" by security staff. A Twitter user commented, "How will we ever beat racism if we are racist against our own selves. Last week when I went to Alchemist there was a line for white and Indian people separate from the blacks."
Club management denied systemic discrimination, stating, "The management has never had a policy of discrimination towards people that have walked through their doors." They acknowledged needing to "hire a new security team and develop new systems and processes to ensure that every single person feels welcome."
Similar allegations date back years. In 2016, a Facebook post described Black patrons being denied entry while white guests were allowed without question. A 2018 incident involved a Twitter user reporting Black guests barred from an area labeled "only for Indians and wazungus."
Ownership and Background ¶
The Alchemist, owned by Peng Chen and Michelle Morgan, has faced repeated scrutiny. Morgan, a former news anchor with a British father and Tanzanian mother, gained public attention through media work. A 2013 article detailed her background, including her career in Kenyan television.
The couple, who married in 2019, have maintained a presence in Kenya despite international ties. Critics highlight the contrast between their global connections and the club’s local controversies, citing longstanding discrimination claims as a persistent issue.