The Kenyan government has given foreigners operating businesses in the country 90 days to regularise their immigration, work and business documents.
The directive, announced on Tuesday, comes amid growing concerns among immigrant communities following recent comments by President William Ruto about foreign-owned businesses.
Presidential spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the government would work with foreign embassies as relevant agencies carry out the documentation exercise.
He also urged the public to refrain from threatening, harassing or intimidating foreign nationals involved in legitimate business activities.
The announcement followed growing anxiety among members of the Burundian and Congolese communities in Kenya. Hundreds of Burundian nationals reportedly visited their embassy in Nairobi to obtain or update their documents, while some considered returning home because of fears for their safety.
The tension was linked to concerns among some Kenyan small-business owners that foreigners were taking low-skilled jobs and operating small enterprises in ways they consider unfair competition.
Kenya, which has one of East Africa’s largest economies, attracts workers, traders and investors from across the region.
President Ruto had said he received complaints from Kenyan small-business operators who believed foreign nationals were competing unfairly with them.
He subsequently directed lawmakers to broaden a bill before Parliament to address foreign participation in small businesses and identify sectors that could be reserved for Kenyan citizens.
However, the president’s directive reportedly caused concern among some foreign communities, particularly Burundians and Congolese living and working in Kenya.
A Burundian businessman, Eric Munahayo, told local journalists that his shop on the outskirts of Nairobi had been attacked by unidentified individuals. He said he had lived peacefully among Kenyans and possessed the necessary licences to operate his business.
Mohamed said the 90-day exercise was not intended to target foreigners but to ensure that all people conducting business in Kenya comply with the country’s laws and regional regulations.
“Every person conducting business in Kenya is required to comply with applicable immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements,” he said.
He added that the exercise would provide an orderly opportunity for foreigners to regularise their status.
Kenya’s Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, also visited Burundian nationals at their embassy in Nairobi and apologised for what he described as a misrepresentation of the president’s directive.
Sing’oei said the registration process was also intended to improve the government’s ability to protect foreign residents.
Meanwhile, Burundi’s Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana has expressed concern over threats directed at Burundians living in Kenya.
In a social media post, Bizimana warned that continued hate speech could affect relations between the two countries and said the Kenyan government was responsible for the safety of Burundian citizens residing in Kenya.
The Burundian government had not officially issued a further statement on the latest development at the time of the report.
