East Africa Law Society warns Kenya over foreign business crackdown

Kenyan authorities have granted foreign workers 90 days to regularize their immigration and business status, following President William Ruto's directive against immigrant-owned small businesses. Kenya, a leading economy in East Africa, draws migrants from the East African Community, where citizens freely move across borders. However, Ruto's order for foreigners to cease hawking and small shop operations prompted concerns among foreign workers, especially Burundians who rely on street vending in Nairobi.

The directive was viewed as an attempt to garner support from Kenyan hawkers before the upcoming elections, but it created anxiety among Burundians, leading to a large crowd at their embassy for assistance to return home. The Kenyan government clarified its intent was to ensure foreigners had proper legal documentation for business, rather than discouraging work in the country.

Citizens of East African Community member states can obtain free work permits, but many foreigners have not completed the registration process. On Tuesday, the president's office announced a 90-day orderly regularization exercise, warning that after this period, immigration regulations will be strictly enforced. Burundian Foreign Minister Korir Sing’Oei apologized for attacks on Burundians due to a lack of understanding and emphasized the government's focus on identifying and registering workers' jobs.