by the way being 'black' was never really an issue in history... Romans, Greeks, Egyptians had no concept of race... it was all merit. during the dark ages Europe was conquered by black people in the form of the moors (insert debate here)... even ancient egypt had nubian kings - it was until a certain pope legitimized slavery of savages that the black listing litterally took place. the classification of races is a fairly new thing... by the way... in the US the greeks, jews, italians were only recently accepted into the "white" fold
there is a nice quote from a movie I saw juzi about the CIA and it's history and it went something like this

True. Being black was never an issue. There was even black nobility/aristocracy in Russia in 1700s.

Infact some British aristocrats are descendants of the black noble Gannibal, including Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster and her sister, Alexandra Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn. George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, is also a direct descendant, as the grandson of Nadejda Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven.

https://en.wikipedia.org...bram_Petrovich_Gannibal

But he rose to the highest ranks of Russian society and establishment. Meaning his colour was never an issue unlike today in Europe.

this is not systematic racism but an economic decision based on the reputation of white people when it comes to tipping.

same reason African women on dating sites insist on 'preferably white' or 'preferably 40-60 years old'. its not about race or age. its about money. white males or older males are much wealthier on average compared to Africans or younger males respectively. if an African approaches that girl and flashes some serious dollars, the 'preferably white' clause will be abandoned like a venereal disease.

if a recognisably wealthy African like Chris Kirubi checks into Art Cafe, even the mzungu clients will be ignored. i would however expect management to reign in comical displays of preferential treatment like waiters stampeding to white tables. unless they are complicit.

on whether Africans should tip, they should be under no obligation to import wholesale white culture. but if you dont tip and there are others in the same restaurant who do (irrespective of color), there can be consequences such as these. You would probably be better off frequenting an authentically African establishment like Kosewe where you dont have to deal with such sideshows.

but going back to racism, there is of course that residiual inferiority complex in many Africans thanks to centuries of being socialized that anything associated with white culture is superior. that residual inferiority likely plays a part in the waiters' discrimninating behaviour but is not the main reason here.