Burundians rush to leave Kenya after crackdown on bus
Hundreds of Burundian migrants are leaving Kenya following a government directive that ordered the closure of small businesses run by foreigners. Many migrants expressed fear and compared the situation to xenophobic violence, while the Kenyan government cited a lack of investor confidence as the reason for the crackdown.
Why it matters
This event highlights rising tensions regarding migration and economic protectionism within the East African Community, impacting regional freedom of movement.
World: Burundians rush to leave Kenya after crackdown on bus
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Burundians rush to leave Kenya after crackdown on businesses
The move sparked fear among many foreigners, particularly Burundians who make a living through street vending in Nairobi, prompting a rush to secure documents to return home.
Burundian nationals gather outside their embassy to apply for border passes as they prepare to travel back to their country following the Kenyan government’s directive on undocumented small-scale traders, in Nairobi on September 7, 2026. (AFP)
NAIROBI - Hundreds of Burundians living in Kenya flocked to their embassy in Nairobi on Monday seeking travel documents to leave the country, days after President William Ruto ordered the closure of small businesses run by foreigners.
Kenya has long attracted migrants from across the East African Community (EAC), whose members enjoy freedom of movement within the regional bloc.
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