Kenya PS Sing'oei: Apology to Burundian Traders for Harassment

• On September 7, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei issued an apology to Burundian nationals for harassment stemming from confusion over a crackdown on unlicensed foreign traders.
• The government pledged increased security in immigrant-dense areas and urged foreign nationals to regularize their documentation for protection and compliance.
• This initiative follows President William Ruto's September 2 warning about restricting foreigners from certain business categories, with a relevant bill currently before Parliament.
• Hundreds of Burundian nationals have since sought to regularize their documents at the Burundian Embassy in Nairobi and local cyber cafés.

The government's ongoing Kenya foreign national documentation drive, as explained by Sing'oei, serves a dual purpose: to uphold existing immigration and business regulations, and simultaneously to safeguard foreign nationals who are legally living and working in the country.

On September 7, the Kenyan government extended a formal apology to Burundian nationals following incidents of harassment. This apology, delivered by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei during a visit to the Burundian Embassy in Nairobi, addressed confusion that arose from the state's recent crackdown on foreign traders operating without proper licenses. The Principal Secretary acknowledged the distress caused, stating that the government regretted the difficulties experienced by the community.

Sing'oei specifically noted that misunderstandings surrounding directives for foreign nationals engaged in small-scale businesses without permits had led to mistreatment. He conveyed the government's remorse for the harassment faced by some Burundians and other foreign nationals, which he attributed to a lack of clear understanding among the public regarding the official stance. The PS emphasized that the government's immediate focus was to ensure the proper documentation and protection of all foreign nationals residing in Kenya.

This intervention by Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei came in the wake of President William Ruto's September 2 warning concerning foreign involvement in specific business sectors. President Ruto had indicated that a proposed Bill, currently before Parliament, would delineate categories of businesses where foreign nationals would not be permitted to operate within Kenya. He urged parliamentary scrutiny of this impending legislation, signaling a renewed focus on regulating foreign business activities.

The government's ongoing Kenya foreign national documentation drive, as explained by Sing'oei, serves a dual purpose: to uphold existing immigration and business regulations, and simultaneously to safeguard foreign nationals who are legally living and working in the country. He clarified that this initiative aims to establish comprehensive records, including residents' addresses, registration details, and identification documents, thereby enhancing security and protection for these individuals. Furthermore, Sing'oei assured that foreign nationals operating legitimate businesses would receive protection once they are duly licensed and registered with the Kenyan government. The process is also intended to educate Kenyans about these measures, preventing misunderstandings that could fuel hostility.

In response to the heightened scrutiny and the government's call for regularization, hundreds of Burundian nationals in Nairobi have been actively seeking to update their documentation. Reports indicate significant activity at the Burundian Embassy along Dennis Pritt Road, where long queues formed as individuals processed various permits, passports, and identification cards. Nearby cyber cafés also saw an influx of individuals seeking assistance with their paperwork, reflecting the community's proactive approach to the Burundian embassy Nairobi regularization efforts.

Amidst these efforts, Principal Secretary Sing'oei urged the Burundian community to maintain calm. He provided a clear Kenya immigration enforcement assurance, stating that the government would bolster security in areas with substantial immigrant populations, specifically naming Bahati and Muthurwa. This measure is designed to prevent any further instances of harassment or mistreatment, reinforcing the government's commitment to protecting documented foreign residents while the broader documentation process unfolds.

Legal professionals should advise foreign national clients in Kenya, particularly those from Burundi, to promptly review and regularize their immigration and business documentation. This is crucial to ensure compliance with Kenyan regulations and to benefit from the government's assurance of protection amidst the ongoing crackdown on unlicensed foreign traders.

Source: Original reporting via Capital News