RismadarVoice Reporters
September 9, 2026
Hundreds of Burundian nationals living in Kenya have reportedly begun leaving the country following a government directive targeting undocumented foreign-owned small businesses.
Many of the Burundians gathered at their embassy in Nairobi on Monday to obtain travel documents and border passes as they prepared to return home.
The development followed President William Ruto’s directive that foreign nationals operating small businesses in Kenya must shut them down.
Kenya has historically attracted migrants from other members of the East African Community (EAC), whose citizens enjoy freedom of movement across the regional bloc.
Last week, Mr Ruto gave foreign-owned small businesses until Monday to close, saying Kenya had not developed sufficient investor confidence for hawkers.
The directive has triggered anxiety among foreign nationals, particularly Burundians who depend on street trading and other small businesses for their livelihoods in Nairobi.
At the Burundi embassy, large crowds were seen waiting for hours to process their documents, while suitcases and bags were piled within the compound as some prepared to leave.
“They’ve expelled us like animals,” Pastor Jean-Baptiste Ndayizeye told AFP.
Mr Ndayizeye alleged that two of his neighbours had been attacked and robbed, comparing the situation with xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa. AFP said it could not independently verify the allegations.
“What South Africans did to foreigners and what Kenyans are doing is the same thing,” he said, adding that the affected Burundians had not been given adequate warning.
Another Burundian, Eric Bizimana, who moved to Kenya in 2022 after years without employment in Burundi, said he had not obtained a work permit because of the cost involved.
Philemon Jaika Adamba, a Kenyan motorcycle taxi operator who transported two Burundians to the embassy, expressed sympathy for those preparing to leave.
“They’re so sad to be leaving Kenya, he said, describing their situation as unfair.
Burundi’s Foreign Minister, Edouard Bizimana, condemned what he described as violence against foreign nationals, particularly Burundians living in Kenya.
“Kenya government is responsible for the lives of Burundians living in Kenya,” Mr Bizimana said in a post on X.
He also criticised the apparent involvement of civilians in enforcing the government’s directive, warning that it could encourage violence, looting and xenophobia.
Kenya’s junior Foreign Minister, Korir Sing’Oei, later visited the Burundi embassy, apologised to the affected nationals and assured them that police would protect areas where violence had reportedly occurred.
Mr Sing’Oei said President Ruto’s remarks had been “misunderstood”, adding that the misunderstanding had contributed to attacks on some foreign nationals.
“Our main aim is to know how you are living, where you are, that you have identification, and that your jobs are registered,” he said.
Kenyan government spokesperson Charles Owino said authorities had opened a formal documentation and registration process and urged Burundian nationals to present their documents at the embassy.
Mr Owino acknowledged that, due to historical and regional factors, some East African nationals, including Burundians, were living and operating businesses in Kenya without complete documentation.
