This seems to be a problem on Chrome’s end (the sorting algorithm is implemented incorrectly):
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/31112364/kendo-chart-shows-incorrect-results-on-google-chrome-but-correct-result-in-fire
http://www.telerik.com/forums/datasource-different-sorting-causes-chrome-to-mess-up-stacked-grouped-barcharts
Your workaround is correct.