Kenya: Burundian Refugee Trade Restrictions Spark Economic Uncertainty

• Burundian refugees in Kenya's Kakuma camp are experiencing heightened anxiety due to President William Ruto's recent order to close small businesses operated by foreigners.
• Refugees, who rely on informal work and small businesses for survival, fear these new policies will jeopardize their livelihoods and could lead to attacks on their property and clashes with host communities.
• The situation has prompted Burundians in Nairobi to consider returning to Kakuma or even Burundi, with many seeking travel documents due to safety and economic uncertainty.
• While Kenya's Shirika Plan aims for refugee socio-economic inclusion, the new rhetoric on trade restrictions creates a contradiction, despite refugees' desire for legal work permits and adherence to Kenyan law.
• Refugees are urging the UNHCR to prioritize their safety and implement preventative measures, emphasizing that the issue impacts their economic independence, security, and ability to coexist peacefully.

The issue encompasses their economic independence, personal safety, and their ability to coexist peacefully with host communities.

Anxiety is mounting among Burundian refugees residing in Kenya's Kakuma camp, located in the northwestern region, as of September 12, 2026. This apprehension stems from recent statements by Kenyan President William Ruto on September 2, which ordered the closure of small businesses operated by foreigners. These pronouncements have ignited fears that new government policies targeting non-citizens will further imperil the livelihoods of refugees and exacerbate tensions with local host communities, contributing to significant Kakuma refugee economic uncertainty.

Many Burundian refugees in Kakuma depend heavily on small-scale enterprises and informal employment for their survival. Their activities include operating street vending stalls, managing small shops, working as motorcycle taxi drivers, engaging in construction, providing labor, or serving as domestic workers. These endeavors are crucial for generating income and reducing their reliance on humanitarian assistance. Refugees have expressed concerns that the frustrations arising from these speeches could lead to adverse consequences, specifically fearing attacks on their businesses and property.

The impact of these developments extends beyond Kakuma. Burundian nationals who had relocated to Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, in search of better opportunities, are now contemplating returning to the camp. Many report having abandoned their possessions and sources of income, facing an uncertain economic future. In Nairobi, where a substantial Burundian population lives and works, the recent announcements have caused widespread unease. Hundreds of Burundian nationals have visited their embassy in recent days to request travel documents, with some considering repatriation to Burundi due to safety concerns. The Burundian refugee informal economy in Nairobi spans various sectors, including construction, beauty salons, small businesses, food service, street vending, security, domestic work, and motorcycle or tricycle transport, known as Bajaj. Some also own small businesses and employ other Burundian nationals. Refugees in Kakuma fear that the challenges faced by their compatriots in Nairobi could soon affect their own opportunities for work and trade within and around the camp.

The current climate of Kenya Burundian refugee trade restrictions appears to contradict broader initiatives aimed at refugee integration. Kenya's Shirika Plan, for instance, seeks to progressively transform the Kakuma model and its extension, Kalobeyei, by fostering the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and promoting coexistence with host communities. This plan specifically aims to enhance access to public services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for refugees. Furthermore, a joint mission comprising 14 United Nations agencies visited Kakuma and Kalobeyei between September 2 and 4, emphasizing the importance of sustainable livelihoods, inclusive public services, and social cohesion between refugee and host populations.

Despite these integration efforts, the new rhetoric surrounding foreigners' business activities creates a stark contrast, raising significant Shirika Plan refugee inclusion concerns. Refugees are not rejecting Kenyan law; rather, they are advocating for their right to work legally and contribute to the economy, while urging authorities to consider their unique circumstances and limited resources. They seek mechanisms that would enable them to participate lawfully in the local economy, preventing their exclusion from small businesses due to their refugee status or difficulties in obtaining necessary documentation. Their plea highlights a desire for Kenya refugee work permits that acknowledge their situation.

For the Burundian refugee community, the implications of President Ruto refugee business policy extend far beyond mere commercial activity. The issue encompasses their economic independence, personal safety, and their ability to coexist peacefully with host communities. The fears expressed by refugees, particularly concerning potential harassment or clashes with local populations stemming from economic frustrations and tensions over employment, underscore the precariousness of their situation. The Kakuma refugee economic uncertainty is not just about income; it's about fundamental security.

Refugees are appealing to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to intensify its focus on their safety and to implement preventative measures to avert an escalation of tensions. Their call for legal work rights is intrinsically linked to their broader desire for stability and dignity. The potential for increased Kenya Burundian refugee trade restrictions threatens to undermine years of efforts towards refugee self-reliance and integration, potentially leading to greater dependency on humanitarian aid and exacerbating social friction in an already vulnerable region.

Lawyers advising NGOs, international organizations, or businesses operating in Kenya with refugee populations should closely monitor evolving Kenyan policies on refugee economic activity and work permits to ensure compliance and advocate for legal frameworks that support refugee livelihoods and safety.

Source: Original reporting via {source}