Foreigners who run businesses in Kenya must obtain or update immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing documents within 90 days, the government announced, a deadline that sent hundreds of migrants to foreign missions in Nairobi and unsettled immigrant communities.
Presidential spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said agencies will carry out an orderly registration exercise in coordination with foreign embassies and warned against threats, harassment and intimidation of foreign businesspeople. He framed the drive as a compliance and security measure, saying, "Every person conducting business in Kenya is required to comply with applicable immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements. Over the next 90 days, the government will conduct an orderly regularisation exercise to facilitate compliance."
The directive followed comments from President William Ruto, who acknowledged complaints from small-business owners that foreigners were competing unfairly and told lawmakers to broaden a bill before parliament to specify how foreigners may participate in small enterprises and to identify sectors that could be reserved for Kenyans. Those remarks contributed to alarm among migrant traders.
Reactions were immediate among Burundian and Congolese communities. Hundreds of Burundian nationals went to their embassy in Nairobi on Monday to secure documentation; some said they planned to return home because they feared for their safety. A shopkeeper, Eric Munahayo, told journalists his suburban Nairobi outlet was attacked by unknown men and said, "I have been living well with Kenyans, I have become part of the community here and have the correct licenses."
Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Korir Sing'oei visited Burundian citizens at their embassy and apologised for how the president's remarks had been represented, saying the registration is also intended to protect foreigners. He told them, "We just want to know who you are, where you live and what you do so that we can provide security even for you all."
Burundian authorities have not issued an official comment, though Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana shared a video of a Kenyan threatening Burundians and warned that continued hate speech could change relations, writing that the Kenyan government is responsible for the safety of Burundians living in Kenya. The Kenyan government said the exercise will follow East African rules on movement of goods, labour and services and that agencies will work with foreign missions during the 90-day window.
The statement did not specify what enforcement or legal steps, if any, will follow the deadline, leaving traders and diplomats to press for clarity as the regularisation period begins.
