Kenya has given foreign traders 90 days to regularise their immigration status and business operations, offering a temporary reprieve to nationals from Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and other countries caught up in the government’s crackdown on foreign participation in small-scale trade.
The announcement comes after days of uncertainty among foreign traders, with Burundians bearing some of the most immediate impact.
During the 90-day period, relevant government agencies will provide guidance and administer the requirements “fairly, consistently and without discrimination,” according to a September 8 statement from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
Hundreds are currently gathered at the Burundian Embassy in Nairobi seeking travel documents, while others began considering returning home or closing their businesses amid fears they would be forced out of Kenya.
Tanzanian authorities, meanwhile, are assessing whether Kenya’s restrictions are consistent with the East African Community Common Market Protocol, while Ugandan, Rwandan and other foreign traders have reportedly kept away from businesses or considered returning home as they await clarity on their status.
