Burundi Moves to Help Citizens Return Home From Kenya as Tensions Rise
The government of Burundi has started making arrangements to help its citizens who wish to leave Kenya and return home following growing tensions surrounding President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreign nationals involved in small-scale trading and hawking.
The Burundi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Cooperation for Development confirmed that plans were underway to facilitate the voluntary return of Burundian citizens from Kenya. The ministry said the process was being coordinated together with the Burundi Embassy in Nairobi.
According to the ministry, the Burundian government plans to send buses to Kenya to transport citizens who want to return home. The embassy in Nairobi will also provide free laissez-passer travel documents to Burundians who may not have the necessary travel documents but wish to leave the country.
“Burundi is preparing to send buses to Kenya, and the Embassy of Burundi in Nairobi will issue free laissez-passer documents to facilitate the return to Burundi for those who wish to leave Kenya,” the ministry stated.
The announcement comes as concerns continue to grow among Burundian nationals living and working in different parts of Kenya.
Footage obtained by Newshub.co.ke on Monday, September 7, showed large numbers of Burundian nationals arriving at the Machakos Country Bus Station carrying luggage as they looked for transport to return to Burundi.
The situation has also reportedly been witnessed at the Kenya-Uganda border in Malaba, where travellers have been rushing to secure bus tickets as they consider leaving Kenya amid uncertainty over the government’s new directive.
Other Burundian nationals have been visiting the Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in Nairobi to seek the free travel documents being offered to those who want to return home.
The developments follow President William Ruto’s directive issued on September 2, when he ordered authorities to begin taking action against foreign nationals operating small shops and engaging in hawking activities across Kenya.
The directive took effect on Monday, September 7, with the President arguing that foreign investment should focus on large-scale businesses capable of increasing production, creating employment opportunities and contributing significantly to the economy rather than competing with Kenyan citizens in small-scale businesses.
The government has maintained that foreign nationals who engage in business activities in Kenya must comply with the relevant immigration and business regulations.
The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, under Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, subsequently stated that many foreign nationals involved in small-scale trading had allegedly breached the conditions attached to their visas or other regulatory requirements.
However, the ministry clarified that foreigners who meet the required immigration conditions can continue operating their businesses after obtaining the necessary permits and licences.
The developments have raised concerns among some Burundian traders who say they have been caught off guard by the government’s decision and are uncertain about what the crackdown means for their livelihoods.
In its statement, the Burundi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also raised concerns about the treatment and safety of Burundian citizens living in Kenya.
The ministry claimed that some Burundian nationals involved in small-scale businesses had experienced cases of property being taken away from them as well as what it described as unjustified violence while carrying out their daily activities.
Burundi further expressed concern that statements made by President Ruto had contributed to increased tension and allegedly resulted in violence targeting some Burundian citizens in Kenya.
“The Minister also noted that these statements were followed by a speech from the Kenyan President, which exacerbated tensions and triggered violence targeting Burundian citizens,” the ministry said.
Despite the concerns raised, the Burundian government said it respects Kenya’s right to make decisions regarding trade, business and immigration within its territory.
However, it called on Kenyan authorities to ensure that foreign nationals are treated with dignity and protected from violence or discrimination.
Burundi also reminded Kenya that both countries are members of the East African Community and should continue treating each other as partners within the regional bloc.
The Burundian government went further to warn that the Kenyan government would be responsible for the safety and security of Burundian citizens living in the country.
It said Kenya would be held accountable for any harm suffered by its nationals and warned that Burundi reserves the right to respond through the principle of reciprocity if the situation worsens.
“The Kenyan government will be held responsible for anything that happens to Burundian citizens, and Burundi reserves the right to take the necessary measures under the framework of reciprocity,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, some Burundian nationals living in Kenya have appealed to President Ruto to reconsider or relax the directive, arguing that the announcement came suddenly and left many traders with little time to prepare.
Some of those affected say they had invested their savings in small businesses and are now worried about losing their sources of income.
The situation remains closely watched as Kenyan authorities continue implementing the new measures targeting foreign nationals engaged in small-scale trading and hawking.
The developments have also raised wider concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals in Kenya and the need to balance the protection of local businesses with the rights and safety of citizens from other East African Community member states.
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