Burundian nationals gather outside their embassy to apply for border passes as they prepare to travel back to their country following the Kenyan government’s directive on undocumented small-scale traders, in Nairobi on September 7, 2026. Photo by SIMON MAINA / AFP.
Kenya warned foreign workers they had 90 days to regularise their status as it sought to backtrack from a panic triggered by President William Ruto’s order to close immigrant-owned small businesses.
As the regional powerhouse, Kenya attracts migrants from across the East African Community (EAC), whose members enjoy freedom of movement within the regional bloc.
But last week Ruto said foreigners were not allowed to be hawkers or run small shops, and gave them until Monday to cease activity.
“We have made efforts to improve the economy, we have not improved investor confidence for hawkers to come to Kenya,” Ruto said in a speech.
