NAIROBI — Burundi has called on Kenya to protect its citizens amid a crackdown on foreign nationals operating small businesses without the required work permits, raising concerns over the treatment of Burundian traders and the wider implications for East African integration.
The concerns emerged as Kenyan authorities intensified enforcement against foreign nationals engaged in small-scale businesses, following President William Ruto’s directive that foreigners operating businesses reserved for Kenyan citizens should leave the country.
Burundian nationals in Nairobi have expressed growing anxiety over the crackdown, with some seeking travel documents and making arrangements to return home amid fears of arrest, harassment or disruption of their businesses.
The situation has prompted Burundi to seek assurances from Kenyan authorities that its citizens will be treated fairly and protected during the enforcement exercise.
Kenya maintains that the crackdown is aimed at enforcing its immigration and labour laws, particularly against foreigners operating businesses without the necessary permits. Authorities have also stressed that the measures are not directed at any particular nationality.
However, the developments have raised questions within the East African Community about the balance between national immigration and labour regulations and the bloc’s commitments to regional integration and the free movement of people.
Kenya and Burundi are both members of the EAC, whose integration framework seeks to facilitate the movement of people, labour, services and capital across partner states.
The dispute therefore carries significance beyond the immediate treatment of foreign traders. For thousands of East Africans who live, work and conduct business across borders, the enforcement of national regulations can directly affect the practical meaning of regional integration.
Burundian traders have become increasingly visible in Kenya’s informal and small-business economy, particularly in urban centres. For many, Kenya provides access to a larger market and business opportunities that are more limited at home.
The crackdown has consequently generated uncertainty among foreign traders who may have entered Kenya legally but subsequently established businesses without meeting all requirements governing work permits or commercial activity.
Kenyan officials have defended the enforcement, arguing that foreigners should comply with the country’s laws and that certain small businesses are reserved for Kenyan citizens.
The government has also indicated that foreign nationals with legitimate investments and the appropriate documentation are not the target of the exercise.
For Burundi, however, the priority is ensuring that its citizens are not subjected to discriminatory treatment as Kenya enforces its regulations.
The episode presents a delicate test for the EAC, which has spent years promoting deeper economic integration among its member states.
While partner states retain the sovereign right to enforce their immigration and labour laws, the implementation of such measures can have regional consequences when they affect citizens of neighbouring EAC countries.
The developments also come at a time when East African governments are seeking to strengthen intra-regional trade and reduce barriers to the movement of people and businesses.
A prolonged dispute could therefore complicate efforts to deepen economic ties between Kenya and Burundi while raising broader concerns among EAC citizens about their rights when working or conducting business in other member states.
The immediate challenge for Nairobi and Bujumbura will be to ensure that enforcement of national laws does not unnecessarily escalate into a diplomatic dispute.
