NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya, Burundi and United Nations agencies have begun a coordinated response to address the welfare and safety of Burundian nationals following concerns triggered by the government’s crackdown on foreign traders.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei convened a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday evening to discuss the emerging humanitarian concerns.
The talks brought together Burundi’s Ambassador to Kenya Evelyne Habonimana, UNHCR Kenya Representative Fatima Mohammed-Cole and International Organization for Migration Kenya Representative Nomagugu Ncube.
Sing’oei said the officials agreed to work jointly to protect the dignity and safety of affected foreign nationals while supporting an orderly documentation process.
“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,” he said.
The meeting agreed to establish a Joint Task Team to monitor the situation and respond to emerging concerns.
The coordination mechanism will also oversee any return of foreign nationals who voluntarily choose to leave Kenya.
Sing’oei stressed that no foreign national would be forced to return home, saying any departure would be voluntary, informed and transparently documented.
“Any return exercises will be strictly voluntary, informed and transparently recorded under our joint coordination,” he said.
The government also assured foreigners of their safety and warned individuals against using the enforcement exercise to harass, threaten or intimidate them.
Kenya has extended the period for foreign nationals to regularise their immigration and business documents to 90 days.
The meeting followed anxiety among Burundian nationals after President William Ruto directed authorities to restrict foreigners from operating small businesses reserved for Kenyans.
Hundreds subsequently sought guidance and documentation assistance from the Burundian Embassy in Nairobi.
