Thousands of Burundian refugees are seeking to leave Kenya after President William Ruto ordered the closure of foreign-run small businesses, a policy critics say has fueled threats against non-Kenyan traders even as the government offers a 90-day amnesty for undocumented East African nationals.
An estimated 16,000 Burundian refugees and asylum seekers live in Kenya, most working informal trades such as coffee vending and selling used clothing, according to UN refugee agency figures. Hundreds gathered outside the Burundian embassy in Nairobi this week seeking travel documents, with some camping outside for two days without food. Many say they have faced threats from neighbors since Ruto’s announcement.
Kenya’s government has offered a 90-day amnesty allowing undocumented East African nationals to register at their embassies and access health, banking and legal protections in the meantime. Presidential spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the country has “zero tolerance” for xenophobia and urged affected residents to register rather than flee.
Many refugees remain unconvinced. “An afterthought,” is how Burundian motorcycle taxi driver Habonimana Jacques described the amnesty offer, predicting the harassment would continue regardless. Unverified reports suggest Ugandan nationals are leaving Kenya in similar numbers.
Ruto also ordered India’s Tata Chemicals to halt its Kenyan operations as part of the same wave of measures. Critics accuse the president, who faces re-election next year, of scapegoating foreign nationals for the country’s economic troubles rather than addressing their root causes.
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Source: OkayAfrica
