RONDO RETREAT CENTRE ISSUES APOLOGY TO BIEN FOLLOWING DISCRIMINATION ALLEGATIONS

The management of Rondo Retreat Centre in Kakamega County has issued a formal public apology to renowned musician Bien-Aimé Baraza popularly known as Bien and his family following an incident at the facility.

The apology comes after Bien and his wife, Chiki Kuruka, shared their experience on social media, describing feeling disrespected and unwelcome during a visit to the retreat. In their posts, they detailed challenges at the gate and reception, which they perceived as discriminatory and dismissive.

In its statement, the Retreat’s management shared deep regret over the encounter. “On behalf of the management at Rondo Retreat Centre, we would like to extend our deepest and most sincere apologies to Bien and his family for the experience they had at our reception recently,” the statement read. “We are deeply saddened that what would have been a peaceful visit ended in a misunderstanding regarding our residency and citizenship rate policies.”

The management clarified its stance on equal treatment stating that racism and discrimination have no place at the establishment. Acknowledging that while different rate structures exist based on residency status, communication must always be handled with “transparency, courtesy and respect.” Announcing an immediate review of reception protocols and staff training to prevent similar misunderstandings.

The apology addresses the hurt caused, stating, “To Bien and your family: we are truly sorry for the hurt this may have caused. We apologise to your followers and the general public for falling a little short of the high standard of hospitality we strive to achieve.”

The incident gained traction after Kuruka recounted on Instagram that they were initially denied entry for a nature walk, faced a “cold and unwelcoming” reception, and felt disrespected in their home county. She specifically questioned the retreat’s adherence to Christian values given the treatment. Bien echoed these sentiments, calling the retreat “a disgrace to Kakamega County” and criticising the “whole concept of rolling the red carpet for white folks and treating Kenyans like trash.”