MWE Correspondent
Hundreds of Burundian nationals gathered at the Burundian Embassy in Nairobi on Monday seeking travel documents as they prepared to leave Kenya following a government crackdown targeting small businesses operated by foreign nationals.
The gathering comes amid heightened enforcement measures against foreign-run small businesses, with some Burundian nationals saying they have experienced threats, discrimination and growing uncertainty over their ability to continue living and working in Kenya.
Those who gathered at the embassy said they needed travel documentation to facilitate their return to Burundi. They also appealed to Kenyan authorities for more time to organise their departure, saying additional time would allow them to make the necessary arrangements and settle their affairs before leaving the country.
The situation follows a directive by Kenyan President William Ruto ordering authorities to intensify action against small businesses operated by foreign nationals. The government has defended measures aimed at regulating foreign participation in certain sectors of the economy, but the enforcement has raised concerns among some foreign traders and entrepreneurs.
For the Burundians affected, the crackdown has created uncertainty over their businesses and livelihoods. Many foreign nationals operating small enterprises rely on such businesses as their primary source of income, meaning restrictions can have a direct impact on their ability to support themselves and their families.
The Burundian nationals at the embassy said they were seeking assistance from their diplomatic representatives as they prepared to return home. The demand for travel documents reflects the practical challenges faced by people who may need official documentation before they can make cross-border journeys.
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Some of those gathered reportedly said they had encountered hostile treatment during the enforcement campaign. They called for authorities to ensure that any measures affecting foreign nationals are implemented in a manner that protects their safety and dignity.
They also urged the Kenyan government to provide sufficient notice and time for those required to leave the country to organise their departure, including making travel arrangements and addressing matters connected to their businesses.
The developments have drawn attention to the broader challenges facing foreign nationals involved in Kenya’s small-business sector. Kenya hosts a large community of regional traders and entrepreneurs, with citizens from neighbouring East African countries regularly crossing borders for business, employment and trade.
The situation could therefore have wider implications for regional trade and integration, particularly given the movement of people and businesses within the East African Community.
For Burundi, Kenya has traditionally been an important regional destination for trade and economic activity. Any disruption affecting Burundian traders and entrepreneurs could therefore have consequences beyond individual businesses, particularly for cross-border commercial relations.
The latest developments also come as East African countries continue to promote regional integration and the free movement of people, goods and services. Balancing national regulations on business ownership and immigration with regional integration commitments remains an important issue for governments across the region.
As the enforcement measures continue, affected Burundian nationals are seeking clarity on their status, access to travel documentation and the timeframe within which they are expected to leave Kenya.
The calls for additional time also underscore the need for clear communication between Kenyan authorities, diplomatic missions and affected foreign nationals to ensure that any departures are carried out in an orderly and safe manner.
