Richard Leakey Accuses La Cascina Restaurant of Harassment

Conservationist and politician Richard Leakey has written a formal complaint to the Government over a high-end restaurant in Karen, Nairobi, where he claims to have been offered toilet water.

Mr Leakey divulged that he had visited an Italian eatery, La Cascina, together with his wife Meave Leakey where they ordered pizza but were denied tap water when they requested.

"The waiter refused to give us Nairobi water and said they only served bottled water," the complaint letter read in part.

72-year old Leakey noted that he pressed on and even asked to see the owner who was an Italian man. The conservationist mentioned that when the owner came to their table, he also refused to serve him tap water and in turn gave them plastic cups to get toilet water.

“He reiterated that he would not give us local water which he claimed was not safe. I suggested that under the law he's not entitled to deny us water and force us to buy his expensive bottle.

"In response to my request, he gave me two plastic cups and told me to go to the toilet to get my own water," he said.

Leakey added that after he protested, the Italian took away their unfinished meal and called the security to escort them out.

The Moi-era politician asked the Government to withdraw the restaurant's license describing the behaviour as 'Trumpish'.

"From my years as a senior in Kenya, I have never experienced such behaviour. I would politely suggest that this restaurant have its license withdrawn and the proprietor be made to understand that Kenya and Kenyans do not expect or tolerate this Trumpish attitude," Leakey inferred.

In a rejoinder, La Cascina restaurant through its lawyer maintained that the owner was within his right to choose what his business serves its customers.

He accused Leakey of threats noting that: "When you were told that tap water is not served, you intimated and issued all manner of dicta and threats to our client. Until you said you were a powerful person in Kenya, our client didn't know you.”

La Cascina added that the purpose of the complaint letter was to simply intimidate it.