MOMBASA, Kenya — About 200 Burundian nationals operating small businesses in Likoni, Mombasa, have sought refuge at a church after receiving threats from some locals, appealing to Kenyan and Burundian authorities to help protect them as they make arrangements to return home.
The traders, who operate small food businesses selling tea, boiled eggs, peanuts and other items, are sheltering at Beth-Even Gospel Ministry (Int’l) Church amid growing concerns over their safety.
The group says the threats have disrupted their businesses and left many uncertain about their security as they prepare to leave Kenya.
Burundian traders suspend businesses
The traders said they suspended their businesses on Monday, September 7, 2026, following President William Ruto’s directive and began making arrangements to send their families back to Burundi.
They are now appealing to security agencies to protect them during the process and ensure they can leave the country safely.
Celestin Nshimirimana, who arrived in Kenya in 2018, said he had established a small hotel in Likoni where he prepared and sold coffee, mandazi and peanuts.
He said the business depended heavily on Burundian customers and had enabled him to meet household expenses, pay rent and educate his children.
“Waburundian wenye wako Mombasa Likoni tunazidi 200. Hotel yangu, ma-customers wangu walikuwa ni Waburundia. Hapo ndipo nilikuwa napata advantage ya kuishi, kulipa rent ya nyumba, kodi ya nyumba, kusomesha watoto,” Nshimirimana told a local media station on Tuesday, September 8.
Nshimirimana said the changing situation had also affected Burundians who had previously been able to live and operate their businesses comfortably.
“Hali si sawa hata kwa wale tulikuwa tunaishi vizuri wameanza kubadilika. Eh, wakibadilika sasa tunaona hatuna namna nyingine ya kufanya msipo kurudi kwetu,” he said.
Traders report threats and intimidation
Some of the traders recounted incidents they said had left them feeling unsafe in their homes and businesses.
Majambere Consolata described an incident involving her family in which she said a man ordered them to enter their house and lock the door before later telling them to leave and return to Burundi.
“Naona mzee wangu ameenda. Naona sina msaidizi. nikasema, ‘Watoto wangu eh, njoo mwingie ndani tufunge.’ Tukafunga. Sasa kidogo mzee akakuja, huwa anataka arudi. Rudi akapiga mlango. Sasa nyinyi mnafanya nini hapo? Nenda kwenu!” she said.
The account is among several claims by the traders about threats and intimidation. The individual allegations have not been independently verified.
The traders say the insecurity has made it increasingly difficult for them to continue operating their businesses or remain in their usual homes.
Some traders claim they lost goods
The traders also alleged that some customers took food and other items without paying, resulting in losses for businesses that were already struggling because of the disruption.
Miyogusengwa Omery said some goods had been taken from traders.
“Wamechukua thermos moja wakaenda nayo, thermos moja wakakunywa yote,” he said.
The allegations have not been independently substantiated, and it was not immediately clear whether police had opened investigations into the reported incidents.
For traders who rely on daily sales to support their families, the disruption has created additional financial pressure.
Church becomes temporary refuge
The Burundian nationals have turned to Beth-Even Gospel Ministry (Int’l) Church as a temporary place of refuge while they make arrangements to return to Burundi.
The church is providing a safer environment for the group as they seek assistance and await further developments.
The traders say they are particularly concerned about the safety of their families and want the authorities to facilitate an orderly and secure departure for those who decide to return home.
Their appeal comes amid heightened anxiety among foreign nationals operating small businesses in Kenya following recent government statements on undocumented foreigners and foreign nationals engaged in small-scale commercial activities.
Traders appeal for government protection
The group is calling on both Kenyan and Burundian authorities, as well as security officers, to protect them while they organise their return.
They want authorities to ensure that traders and their families can travel without harassment or violence.
The traders’ concerns also highlight the economic vulnerability of small business operators who depend on daily income and may have limited resources to relocate quickly.
Nshimirimana said the situation had forced traders to consider leaving businesses and livelihoods they had built over several years.
Broader debate over foreign traders
The situation in Likoni comes amid a wider national debate over foreign nationals operating businesses in Kenya.
The government has previously said foreigners conducting business in the country must comply with immigration, work-permit, business registration and licensing requirements.
Authorities have also announced a regularisation process giving affected foreign traders time to bring their immigration and business status into compliance.
For the Burundian traders in Likoni, however, the immediate concern is security.
They say they want authorities to prevent harassment and protect them from threats while they decide whether to remain in Kenya under the applicable legal framework or return to Burundi.
