Burundians rush to leave Kenya after crackdown on foreign-run businesses

Hundreds of Burundians crowded outside their embassy in Nairobi on Monday, clutching brown envelopes and waiting for travel documents after Kenya ordered foreign-run small businesses to close.

Suitcases and plastic bags piled up around the compound as street vendors prepared to return to Burundi. The rush followed President William Ruto’s directive that foreign-owned small businesses shut down by Monday. Ruto said Kenya “has not built investor confidence for hawkers.”

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They’ve expelled us like animals.

Kenya has long attracted migrants from across the East African Community, whose members enjoy freedom of movement within the regional bloc. But the order has caused fear among many foreigners, particularly Burundians who earn a living through street vending in Nairobi.

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What South Africans did to foreigners and what Kenyans are doing is the same thing.

“They’ve expelled us like animals,” Pastor Jean-Baptiste Ndayizeye told AFP. He said two neighbours had been attacked and robbed, and compared the situation with xenophobic violence in South Africa. AFP said it could not independently verify those claims.

“What South Africans did to foreigners and what Kenyans are doing is the same thing,” Ndayizeye said, adding that it was unfair that traders received no warning. Eric Bizimana, a Burundian who arrived in Kenya in 2022 after years of unemployment at home, said he had never applied for a work permit because of its high cost.

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They’re so sad

“They’re so sad” to be leaving Kenya, said Kenyan motorcycle taxi driver Philemon Jaika Adamba, who drove two Burundians to the embassy. “It’s not fair.” Burundi’s Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana condemned “violence against foreigners, particularly Burundians” and said Kenya’s government was responsible for their safety. Kenya’s junior foreign minister, Korir Sing’Oei, later visited the embassy, apologised to Burundians and assured them that police would protect them.

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It’s not fair.