Kenyan rapper and activist Octopizzo has joined the growing debate over the treatment of foreigners in Kenya, urging the public to reject xenophobia and allow Burundian nationals living and working in the country to do so in peace.
The rapper spoke out as tensions rose following a government crackdown on foreigners operating small-scale businesses, particularly informal traders.
Octopizzo used his social media platforms to appeal for compassion and restraint, arguing that people who leave their home countries and rebuild their lives elsewhere should not face hostility simply because of their nationality.
His comments come amid a heated national conversation about the role of foreign nationals in Kenya’s informal economy and the government’s efforts to ensure that business activities comply with immigration and licensing requirements.
In his message, Octopizzo acknowledged the difficulties associated with leaving one’s country and starting again in a foreign land.
He said the experience of seeking safety and rebuilding a life from scratch can be difficult, particularly when someone eventually finds themselves facing the possibility of being forced out again.
“Leaving your country, seeking refuge in another, and trying to rebuild your life from scratch is never easy,” Octopizzo said.
He added that it becomes even more painful when people who have found safety and opportunity face the threat of being forced to leave.
The rapper then made a direct appeal concerning Burundian nationals living in Kenya.
“Let Burundians who are living and working in Kenya do so in peace,” he said.
Octopizzo, however, acknowledged that individuals who break the law should face the consequences of their actions.
“If anyone commits a crime, let the law take its course, investigate, arrest and prosecute them according to the law, regardless of their nationality,” he said.
The rapper also called for a more compassionate approach to the debate, warning against treating foreign nationals as a collective problem.
He argued that communities should be built around dignity, compassion and coexistence rather than hostility toward people from neighbouring countries.
“We all share this world, and we should strive to create communities built on dignity, compassion, coexistence, and love,” he said.
The debate has particularly focused on Burundians working in informal businesses such as tea and food vending.
The controversy followed President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreigners operating small-scale informal businesses without the necessary permits.
The government has argued that certain informal activities should be reserved for Kenyan citizens, while foreigners who wish to work or operate businesses in the country must comply with immigration, work permit and licensing requirements.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, however, clarified that East African Community nationals with valid documentation and business licences remain protected under the law.
The government’s position has consequently centred on enforcing legal requirements rather than automatically expelling all foreigners from Kenya.
The enforcement campaign has nevertheless caused anxiety among some Burundian nationals, with reports of people seeking travel documents and clarification from their embassy in Nairobi.
The situation has placed Burundian traders and other foreign nationals operating informal businesses at the centre of a wider national debate.
