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As fear drives 100s to Kenya’s embassy, the government quickly moves to grant temporary amnesty to its undocumented neighbours
Business Insider Africa • • world
Key Points:
- Following President William Ruto's directive to crack down on foreign-owned small businesses, hundreds of Burundians fled to Kenya’s embassy in Nairobi amid fears of targeting and harassment.
- Ruto ordered the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry to enforce restrictions on foreign nationals operating businesses reserved for Kenyan citizens, even before related legislation is passed.
- The Kenyan government maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment or xenophobia and urged undocumented foreign nationals to register with their diplomatic missions.
- In addition to targeting small traders, Ruto ordered Indian-owned Tata Chemicals to cease operations in Kenya, planning to replace it with two new companies focused on glass and chemical manufacturing.
- The crackdown reflects Kenya’s intent to prioritize local traders and improve investor confidence by limiting foreign participation in specific small-scale business sectors.
