Burundians rush to leave Kenya after crackdown on businesses

Hundreds of Burundians living in Kenya went to their embassy in Nairobi on Monday to seek travel documents after President William Ruto ordered foreign-owned small businesses to close. The directive prompted many street vendors to prepare to return to Burundi.

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They’ve expelled us like animals

Crowds waited for hours outside the embassy, with suitcases and plastic bags piled around the compound. “They’ve expelled us like animals,” Pastor Jean-Baptiste Ndayizeye told AFP. He said two neighbours had been attacked and robbed, though AFP could not independently verify the claims.

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Kenya government is responsible for the lives of Burundians living in Kenya

Burundi’s Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana condemned what he called violence against foreigners, particularly Burundians. Kenya’s junior foreign minister, Korir Sing’Oei, later visited the embassy, apologised and promised police protection in areas where violence had been reported. He said Ruto’s remarks had been “misunderstood.”

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misunderstood