The Kenyan government has introduced a temporary amnesty for undocumented East African migrants, easing fears among foreign nationals following concerns over a government directive targeting foreign-owned small businesses.
The government urged undocumented migrants to register formally at their respective embassies and subsequently extended the registration period, offering temporary protection to those taking part in the process.
“For the duration of this designated registration period, all individuals undergoing registration will be presumed legally present in the Republic of Kenya,” the government said in a statement.
It also directed security agencies and local authorities to ensure that foreign nationals undergoing registration were not “subjected to arbitrary harassment or discrimination.”
The move follows remarks by President William Ruto last week directing foreign-owned small businesses to shut down by Monday.
Ruto said Kenya “has not built investor confidence for hawkers,” a comment that triggered anxiety among foreign nationals, particularly Burundians who depend on street vending for their livelihoods in Nairobi.
The uncertainty prompted some migrants to rush to secure documentation and make arrangements to return home.
At the Burundi Embassy in Nairobi, large crowds were seen queuing for hours with documents in brown envelopes, while suitcases and plastic bags piled up around the compound as some migrants prepared to leave Kenya.
The temporary amnesty is expected to provide relief to affected migrants while giving authorities an opportunity to establish clearer records of foreign nationals operating businesses or living in the country.
The government’s assurance against arbitrary harassment and discrimination has also sought to calm concerns among East African migrants who feared possible deportation or disruption of their livelihoods.
The development comes amid broader efforts by the Kenyan government to regulate foreign participation in small-scale businesses while balancing immigration enforcement with the rights and economic interests of foreign nationals.
