Rondo Retreat Centre in Kakamega County has publicly apologised to musician Bien-Aimé Baraza, popularly known as Bien, and his family following a contentious incident at the facility that sparked widespread public criticism.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Rondo Retreat acknowledged that Bien and his family’s visit ended in distress due to a misunderstanding regarding residency and citizenship rate policies at the reception.
“We are deeply saddened that what would have been a peaceful visit ended in a misunderstanding regarding our residency and citizenship rate policies. We understand that the way this information was communicated caused distress, leading Bien and his family to feel unwelcome and ultimately decide to leave our premises,” the statement read.
The retreat denied any allegations of racism or discrimination, asserting that such conduct is not tolerated at the facility.
“Racism and discrimination have no place at Rondo Retreat Centre. It’s not in our DNA, nor is it how we operate. We value every guest who walks through our door equally,” management said.
Rondo Retreat further explained that while it maintains different rate structures for residents and non-residents, these policies should always be communicated with clarity, courtesy, and respect. Management admitted that in this instance, communication may have fallen short of the expected standard.
The statement also outlined measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, including reviewing reception protocols and staff training.
“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 short of the high standard of hospitality we strive to achieve. We hope for the opportunity to make this right and to welcome you back under better circumstances,” it concluded.
The apology follows public outrage after Bien shared his experience on Instagram on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, describing the retreat as a “disgrace to Kakamega County” and calling for the decolonisation of Kenyan spaces. His post highlighted frustrations with perceived preferential treatment for foreign visitors and dismissive service towards Kenyan guests.
Bien’s wife, choreographer and creative director Chiki Kuruka, also shared her account, stating that the family was initially denied entry despite prior notification and experienced dismissive interactions at the reception desk.
The incident prompted Kenyans to criticise the facility on social media and through negative Google reviews, compelling the retreat to temporarily disable comments on its platforms.
The apology signals Rondo Retreat’s commitment to addressing concerns and improving guest experience while acknowledging the wider public sensitivity around equitable treatment of Kenyan visitors.
