Burundians in Kenya : fear of deportation shakes a community heavily involved in the informal economy

SOS Médias Burundi

Nairobi, September 9, 2026 — The threat of deportation for foreign workers in small businesses and street vending has sown panic among Burundian nationals in Kenya. Following President William Ruto’s statements, many Burundians whose documents were not in order rushed to the Burundian embassy in Nairobi to obtain travel documents. Kenyan authorities ultimately granted the foreigners concerned a 90-day grace period to regularize their status. Three Burundian human rights organizations denounce the risks of discrimination and call for dialogue.

Panic spreads among Burundians

On September 2, Kenyan President William Ruto ordered the closure of small businesses and street vending activities operated by foreigners, arguing that these sectors should benefit Kenyans more.

“Starting next week, all traders engaged in these small-scale activities will have to cease operations,” the Kenyan president declared.

The announcement quickly sparked concern within the Burundian community. As early as Monday, September 7, hundreds of Burundian nationals gathered in front of the Burundian embassy in Nairobi, some with their luggage, to request travel documents and consider returning home.

“I believe the majority have chosen to return to Burundi to await the presidential election here and then come back,” a Burundian who has lived in Nairobi for several years and is not directly affected by the measure explained to SOS Médias Burundi.

For many, the Kenyan head of state’s statements were perceived as a direct threat to their livelihoods.

Nairobi grants 90 days to regularize status

Faced with widespread panic, Kenyan authorities have finally granted affected foreigners a 90-day period to regularize their status, including their work permits, immigration status, business registration, and commercial licenses.

The Kenyan government states that foreigners with legal status will continue to enjoy their rights and that those with incomplete documents should use this period to rectify the situation.

Authorities have also promised to combat harassment, threats, and xenophobia. An official from the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Burundians gathered in Nairobi and apologized for the misunderstandings caused by the initial announcements. He assured them that the regularization process also aimed to strengthen their safety.

However, these assurances were not enough to reassure everyone. Many Burundians continued to request travel documents, fearing that the situation would worsen.

Ruto’s remarks at the heart of the controversy

William Ruto justified his decision by citing the need to protect Kenyan small traders from foreign competition. He specifically targeted street vending and small businesses, while affirming that Kenya remained open to foreign investment.

The Kenyan government now maintains that the objective is to enforce regulations concerning immigration, work permits, business registration, and trading licenses. The 90-day grace period is intended to allow those affected to comply before any enforcement measures are taken.

Burundians in many sectors

In Kenya, Burundians are present in several sectors of the economy, particularly in the informal sector.

Many work in construction, beauty salons, small shops, restaurants, and street vending, selling coffee, doughnuts, other food products, and clothing. Others are employed as security guards, domestic workers, or drivers of motorcycle taxis or tricycles, commonly known as Bajaj.

Some have started small businesses and, in turn, employ other Burundian nationals.

Several members of the community say they have lived in harmony with their Kenyan neighbors for years. Kenyan business owners also say they appreciate Burundian labor in certain sectors, particularly for its cost and reliability.

A community difficult to quantify

There are no statistics that allow for a precise measurement of the total number of Burundians living and working in Kenya. The available figures mainly concern refugees and asylum seekers.

According to data cited by the United Nations, approximately 16,000 Burundian refugees and asylum seekers live in Kenya. Many run small businesses, particularly in Nairobi.

However, the economic contribution of the entire Burundian diaspora in Kenya remains difficult to measure. There is insufficient detailed data to compare it with that of Burundian communities established in other African countries.

Business resumes despite fear

After Monday’s panic, the situation seemed to be gradually returning to normal in some neighborhoods of Nairobi.

“I saw women who run small restaurants or sell food in front of their houses working,” a Burundian man living in Kawangware, one of Nairobi’s most densely populated neighborhoods, told SOS Médias Burundi on Wednesday evening.

On Tuesday, another Burundian national told SOS Médias Burundi that he had visited a stall selling Burundian kebabs, a popular dish in Nairobi, along Ngong Road, a major 18-kilometer (11-mile) road and commercial thoroughfare that runs through several neighborhoods of the Kenyan capital. Activity continued despite concerns raised by the presidential announcements.

These accounts illustrate a still uncertain situation : some Burundians have chosen to stay and regularize their status, while others prefer to return home temporarily.

Three Burundian organizations are calling for vigilance.

The National Observatory for the Fight Against Torture and Transnational Crime (ONLCT) considers the measure discriminatory and demands that no collective expulsions be carried out. It calls on Nairobi and Gitega to prioritize dialogue, with the involvement of the East African Community (EAC), and to examine the individual situations of those concerned.

The Burundian Association for the Fight Against Unemployment and Torture (ALUCHOTO) denounces President William Ruto’s remarks, which it considers discriminatory and likely to fuel hatred against migrants. It calls on regional and international human rights mechanisms to monitor the situation and intervene in cases of violence or degrading treatment.

The Burundian League for Human Rights (ITEKA) also calls on President Ruto to act responsibly and protect social cohesion. In a letter addressed to the Kenyan head of state, it acknowledges Kenya’s right to protect its economic interests but urges him to avoid any collective stigmatization of foreigners and to prioritize dialogue with the communities concerned. It also calls on the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union to remain vigilant.

A community caught between fear and uncertainty

For Burundians living in Kenya, the 90-day extension offers a respite, but does not completely dispel their anxieties.

Some hope to regularize their activities and continue working. Others, particularly those with precarious immigration status, are still considering a temporary return to Burundi.

The crisis triggered by William Ruto’s statements has thus placed a portion of the Burundian community in a difficult position : stay and try to comply with the new Kenyan requirements or return home to await developments.

In a context marked by unemployment and poverty in Burundi, Kenya remains an important economic destination for many young people. For those who have built their lives there, the current uncertainty goes far beyond the issue of small businesses : it directly affects their employment, their income, and their future.