NAIROBI, Kenya — Undocumented Burundian nationals living in Kenya will receive temporary legal protection as the government opens a formal registration and documentation window to regularise their status.
Government Spokesperson Charles Owino said the initiative will target undocumented East African Community (EAC) nationals, with particular attention to Burundian citizens currently residing in Kenya.
Owino urged undocumented nationals to present themselves to their respective High Commissions or Embassies for formal identity registration.
“We call upon all undocumented East African Community nationals, and specifically Burundian citizens currently residing in Kenya, to immediately present themselves to their respective High Commissions or Embassies for formal identity registration.”
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with the Embassy of Burundi and other regional partners to process and regularise the cases.
Undocumented migrants to receive temporary protection
According to Owino, people who come forward for registration will be presumed to be legally present in Kenya during the designated registration period.
The temporary protection is intended to allow those undergoing the process to access essential services, including healthcare and banking, while also ensuring they can exercise legal protections without fear of arbitrary action.
The government says the arrangement is necessary because some East African nationals have lived and worked in Kenya for extended periods without obtaining complete documentation, partly because of historical circumstances and the movement of people within the region.
Owino said undocumented status can leave individuals vulnerable to exploitation, difficulties during health emergencies and harassment by law enforcement.
“In many instances, this lack of documentation leaves these individuals vulnerable to exploitation, health emergencies, and unnecessary harassment by law enforcement.”
He also acknowledged the contribution of Burundians and other East African nationals to Kenya’s economy and society.
“We recognize and deeply appreciate the rich contributions made by East African nationals, particularly our Burundian brothers and sisters, to Kenya’s trade, culture, and socio-economic fabric.”
Government warns against harassment and xenophobia
The government has directed national security agencies, local authorities and businesses not to subject foreign nationals to arbitrary harassment or discrimination.
The directive also applies to people who have entered the registration process.
Owino warned that individuals who exploit recent immigration and trade directives to promote xenophobia, intimidation or mistreatment of Kenya’s neighbours would face legal consequences.
The government is also strengthening monitoring of migrant safety in urban centres in collaboration with civil society networks and humanitarian organisations.
The measures come amid heightened public debate over the status of foreign nationals working and conducting small-scale businesses in Kenya.
Registration is not a blanket ban
Owino stressed that the new documentation measures should not be interpreted as a blanket ban on foreign nationals.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the East African Community Common Market Protocol, which provides a framework for regional integration and the movement of people, labour and goods among EAC partner states.
The government says Kenya’s relations with neighbouring countries remain grounded in shared history, culture and economic ties.
The clarification is significant for Burundian nationals who have expressed uncertainty over their status following recent government announcements on foreign workers and small-scale retail and informal trade.
Ruto’s September directives
Owino said the latest measures follow directives issued by President William Ruto on September 2, 2026, concerning foreign workers and small-scale traders.
The government maintains that the directives are intended to protect vulnerable sectors of the domestic economy, safeguard the livelihoods of Kenyan traders and strengthen the integrity of national identity systems.
The announcement had generated concern among some foreign nationals and regional observers, particularly after reports emerged of Burundian citizens seeking documentation from their embassy in Nairobi.
The government has now sought to distinguish between enforcement of immigration and trade regulations and a broader policy targeting foreign nationals.
Owino criticised what he described as inaccurate interpretations of the government’s measures in some media reports.
“We note with concern that some media reports—including recent coverage by international outlets such as Le Monde—have misinterpreted these administrative measures as a blanket ban or hostile action targeting foreign nationals, particularly those from our neighboring East African states.”
