Kenya has established a joint coordination mechanism with Burundi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address concerns affecting Burundian nationals following the government’s crackdown on unlicensed foreign businesses.
The move follows growing uncertainty among Burundian traders and other foreign nationals in Kenya amid intensified scrutiny of businesses operated by foreigners.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday with Burundi’s Ambassador Evelyne Habonimana, UNHCR Kenya Representative Fatima Mohammed-Cole and IOM Kenya Representative Nomagugu Ncube.
The discussions focused on addressing humanitarian concerns while ensuring that government measures are implemented in an orderly manner and with safeguards for the rights and safety of affected nationals.
Joint task team to coordinate response
Sing’oei announced that a Joint Task Team would be established to respond to emerging concerns involving Burundian nationals.
“An active Joint Task Team is presently being constituted to address emerging issues,” the PS said.
He said the initiative would be guided by the principles of East African cooperation and would bring Kenya, Burundi and the international agencies together in responding to concerns arising from the ongoing enforcement measures.
“In the true spirit of East African cooperation, we are working hand-in-hand as one team to ensure order, dignity, and safety for all our brothers and sisters,” Sing’oei said.
The mechanism marks a shift towards a coordinated response involving government authorities, the Burundian mission and international organisations working on refugee and migration matters.
Kenya assures Burundians over voluntary returns
The meeting comes amid heightened concern among Burundian nationals following President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreigners operating certain categories of businesses.
The subsequent enforcement campaign and documentation exercise prompted some Burundians to seek travel documents from their embassy in Nairobi, amid fears over possible removal from Kenya.
Sing’oei said any return of Burundian nationals would be voluntary and subject to safeguards.
“Any return exercises will be strictly voluntary, informed, and transparently recorded under our joint coordination,” he said.
The assurance follows an earlier visit by Sing’oei to the Burundian Embassy in Nairobi, where he apologised over reports of harassment linked to confusion surrounding the government’s crackdown on unlicensed foreign traders.
The PS also assured Burundians and other foreign nationals that those with valid documentation remained legally protected to live and work in Kenya.
Foreign nationals given 90 days to regularise
The government has extended the regularisation period for affected foreign nationals to 90 days, allowing them additional time to address immigration, work permit, business registration and licensing requirements.
The measure is intended to give traders operating outside the required legal framework an opportunity to bring their documentation into compliance before enforcement action is taken.
The latest coordination meeting broadens the response beyond immigration enforcement and business compliance to include humanitarian concerns, particularly over the treatment of foreign nationals and potential returns.
Sing’oei reiterated that Kenya would not tolerate harassment of foreigners living and working in the country.
“We strongly guarantee the safety of all foreign nationals; no harassment will be tolerated,” he said.
Kenya seeks orderly handling of emerging concerns
The involvement of UNHCR and IOM is expected to provide additional coordination on humanitarian and migration-related concerns as the government implements its measures.
The meeting also comes as Kenya seeks to balance enforcement of its domestic immigration and business regulations with its commitments to regional cooperation and the protection of foreign nationals.
By bringing Burundi and the two UN agencies into the response mechanism, the government is seeking to ensure that emerging cases are handled through coordination rather than isolated enforcement actions.
The Joint Task Team is expected to address new concerns as they arise while supporting an orderly process for foreign nationals seeking to regularise their status or voluntarily return to their countries.
