By Dawan Africa - Admin
Kenya, September 7 ,2026 - Hundreds of Burundian nationals descended on the Embassy of Burundi in Nairobi’s Kilimani neighbourhood on Monday morning, seeking emergency travel documents after President William Ruto ordered a nationwide crackdown on foreigners operating small-scale businesses.
The embassy announced on Sunday that it would begin issuing Laisser-Passer travel documents from September 7, with strict processing hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its offices on Denis Pritt Road, next to Gracia Garden Hotel.
By mid-morning, long queues had formed outside the mission as applicants waited to submit paperwork required for the one-year travel document that allows Burundian nationals to move between East African Community member states.
Ruto’s September 2 directive sparks rush#
The rush comes after President Ruto issued a directive on September 2 giving foreign small-scale traders until September 7 to shut down their operations, citing the need to protect local entrepreneurs from unfair competition.
The order follows rising tensions after a July video showed a Kenyan man confronting a Burundian trader in Nairobi, accusing him of taking opportunities from locals—an incident that sparked widespread criticism and diplomatic concern.
Burundi’s Foreign Minister Édouard Bizimana has warned that continued anti-Burundian hate speech in Kenya could strain bilateral ties, while the embassy has raised concerns over alleged harassment, mistreatment and forced removal of Burundian nationals.
In a strongly worded statement, the embassy said Burundians were being “mistreated, harassed and thrown out like chickens,” calling on East African Community Chairperson Yoweri Museveni to convene an urgent summit to address the situation.
Strict rules at the embassy#
To manage the surge, Ambassador Evelyne Habonimana signed a notice outlining strict procedural guidelines for the document issuance exercise.
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Applicants must arrive before the 2 p.m. daily cutoff or be turned away, and same-day collection is not permitted—documents submitted one day can only be picked up the next working day.
Those seeking the Laisser-Passer must present a passport-sized photograph on a white background, a copy of their national identity card, a complete identity certificate, and a valid residence certificate.
Regional fallout#
The crackdown has prompted Burundi to report the matter to EAC Chairperson Museveni, while social media reports indicate some Burundians and Rwandans are already shifting operations to Uganda.
Under existing Kenyan immigration regulations, Burundian nationals are exempt from visa requirements for visits of up to 180 days, consistent with EAC free movement protocols—but the new directive targets those engaged in retail, hawking, and small-scale trading.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has sought to reassure traders, stating that all foreigners are free to operate in Kenya, but confusion remains on the ground as the September 7 deadline looms.
What happens next#
For Burundians in Nairobi, the embassy’s Kilimani offices have become the focal point as they navigate new restrictions and seek documents to either regularise their stay or return home.
The situation is being closely watched across the region, with questions mounting over whether Kenya’s directive will be enforced uniformly and how neighbouring EAC states will respond to the diplomatic tensions.