Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Kenya Offers Temporary Amnesty Amid Fears Of Foreign Trader Crackdown
Kenya said undocumented people from East African countries could temporarily register without being treated as illegal.
The announcement came after President William Ruto called for foreign-owned small businesses to close.
Many Burundians in Nairobi became worried that authorities would force them to leave.
Hundreds went to Burundi’s embassy carrying luggage and waiting in long lines.
Some said neighbours had threatened them.
Kenya’s government said there would be no harassment or xenophobia.
It said registration would help people access health care, banking, and legal protections.
Critics said the president might be using foreigners as a way to explain Kenya’s economic difficulties.
Kenya announced a temporary registration and amnesty period for undocumented East African nationals.
Hundreds of Burundians gathered outside their Nairobi embassy seeking travel documents and assistance.
The government said registered individuals would be presumed legally present during the designated period.
President William Ruto had ordered authorities to close small businesses operated by foreign traders.
Critics accused Ruto of blaming foreigners for Kenya’s economic problems ahead of next year’s election.
- Who
- The Kenyan government, President William Ruto, and undocumented East African nationals, particularly Burundians.
- What
- Kenya offered a temporary amnesty and registration period after fears of a crackdown on foreign-operated small businesses.
- When
- Monday, September 7, after Ruto’s remarks the previous week.
- Where
- Nairobi, Kenya, especially outside Burundi’s embassy.
- Why
- The government said registration would bring undocumented nationals into legal protection, while Ruto had responded to protests by Kenyan traders over tax reforms.
Kenyan Government
Critics And Affected Burundians
Purpose of the registration window
Kenyan Government
The government described the temporary amnesty as a way to bring undocumented East Africans into the legal system and give them access to health, banking, and legal protections.
Critics And Affected Burundians
Burundians gathering at the embassy said they feared being forced to leave and wanted time or assistance to return safely.
Treatment of foreign traders
Kenyan Government
The administration said it would not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or xenophobia and said there was no crackdown in Nairobi on Monday.
Critics And Affected Burundians
Some Burundians said neighbours had threatened them, while critics argued that Ruto’s call to close foreign-operated small businesses was contributing to fear.
Economic responsibility
Kenyan Government
Ruto’s actions followed protests by Kenyan traders who opposed tax reforms and wanted action against foreign competition.
Critics And Affected Burundians
Critics said the president was looking for foreigners to blame for Kenya’s economic difficulties as he approaches a reelection campaign.
- Registration policy
- Undocumented East African nationals registering during the designated period will be presumed legally present in Kenya.
- Government position
- The administration said it had zero tolerance for harassment, intimidation, or xenophobia.
- Affected group
- Many Burundians in Kenya work in small-scale businesses, including selling coffee and used clothes.
- Crowd location
- Hundreds of Burundians formed long queues outside Burundi’s embassy in Nairobi.
- Burundian refugees and asylum seekers
- The U.N. refugee agency estimates about 16,000 are in Kenya.
- Initial enforcement
- There were no signs of a crackdown in Nairobi on Monday.
- Political criticism
- Ruto’s critics said he was blaming foreigners for Kenya’s economic difficulties before next year’s election.