Kenya minister warns foreigners against 'misusing' visas to trade

ByBasillioh Rukanga Reporting fromNairobi.

Key points

• Did a goat herder's lucky $200 nugget spark a gold rush in western Kenya?
• Bizimana's post followed an urgent session he held with representatives of the East African Community (EAC), an eight-member bloc which promotes economic integration in the region.
• Bizimana remarked he had asked the Kenyan ambassador to convey to his administration Burundi's reservations and to ensure that no Burundian was subjected to abuse.
• President William Ruto had set today as the deadline for foreigners operating small-scale businesses to cease work.
• "Kenya government is responsible for the lives of Burundians living in Kenya, " he continued.

As the administration vows to shut down unlicensed small businesses run by foreigners, kenya's trade ministry has cautioned foreign nationals that visa-free entry into the country does not grant them the right to work.

Ahead of the move, the Burundian embassy in Kenya remarked it would offer emergency free travel documents to its citizens willing to go back home, against the backdrop of reports of the mistreatment of Burundians.

It is unclear how plenty of foreign nationals are involved in small-scale trading or how numerous would be affected by the crackdown.

In an official note, the trade ministry remarked there was a "deliberate misuse of visa applications by some visitors", adding that some entered Kenya as investors or tourists but then secured involved in business activities in breach of their declared status.

"Owing to the high number of foreigners involved in the retail and local trade sectors, there is therefore a need to align their activities and ensure compliance with work permit provisions, " Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui remarked.

Last week, Ruto remarked that Kenya remained open to foreign investment, but it could not be "that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop".

He argued that investors should create jobs and expand production rather than compete with Kenyans in small businesses.

Ruto's comments sparked mixed reactions, with some critics describing them as a populist move that risked stoking xenophobia. Administration office-holders deny the allegation.

Burundi's Foreign Affairs Minister Edouard Bizimana remarked in a post on X that "Kenyans in Burundi were living peacefully but if the hate speech against Burundi continues things will certainty change".

Both Kenya and Burundi are part of the group. Kenyan representatives attended the session called by Bizimana in Burundi.

On Sunday, a top official in Kenya's foreign affairs ministry remarked foreigners, with the required documentation, including "work permits and licences", could continue their activities.

Burundian nationals and all East Africans – and Africans for that matter – are free to live in Kenya as long as they conduct their businesses or work according to the requirements of our laws, Permanent Secretary Korir Sing'oei remarked.

Notably, the government's clarification, nevertheless, did little to ease worries among some foreign traders.

Alexis Ntinanirwa, the head of the Association of Burundians living in Kenya, informed the BBC Great Lakes service that he was unhappy with Ruto's decision, but was urging Burundians to remain patient.

He cautioned that the problem could have wider regional consequences since Kenyans are additionally involved in small-scale businesses in other East African countries.

"This issue is not only going to cause problems for Burundians working in Kenya, but it is also going to cause problems in the region because there are also Kenyans doing these small jobs in our countries in Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda."

Ntinanirwa advised Burundians involved in hawking and other small businesses to avoid confrontation with police. Extra reporting by Akisa Wandera and Prime Ndikumagenge. You may additionally be interested in. Kenyan president orders crackdown on foreigners operating small businesses.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

For now, kenya minister warns foreigners against ' misusing' visas to trade remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.