Kenya has offered a temporary amnesty to undocumented East African migrants after hundreds of Burundians rushed to their country’s embassy in Nairobi seeking travel documents to return home. The move came after the Kenyan government ordered authorities to close small businesses run by foreigners without work permits.

Security operation Triggers Chaos and Fears

Kenyan President William Ruto’s government last week directed authorities to close small businesses operated by foreigners without proper documentation, starting on Monday, while the order, which applied to those without work permits, led to chaos outside Burundi’s embassy as Burundians sought documents to return home. Some reported being threatened by neighbors following the directive.

About 16,000 Burundian migrants and refugees live in Kenya, according to the United Nations, many operating small street businesses, On Monday, despite no visible signs of a security operation, crowds queued outside the embassy from the morning, awaiting papers to return home.

Amnesty and Legal Protection Offered

A government spokesman urged undocumented nationals from other East African countries, particularly Burundi, to formally register at their embassies; For the duration of this registration period, the statement said, individuals would be presumed legally present in Kenya. The government emphasized the goal was to help migrants access health, banking, and legal protections without fear.

Kenya also issued a directive to security agencies and local authorities that foreign nationals should not be subjected to arbitrary harassment or discrimination, but the statement warned that anyone exploiting the situation to fuel xenophobic sentiment would face legal consequences.

Apology and Promises of Protection

Kenya’s junior foreign minister, Korir Sing’Oei, visited the Burundi embassy and apologized to the community, assuring them that police would protect areas where violence had been reported. He stated that Burundians have lived in peace alongside Kenyans for years and promised to help them obtain papers or return home voluntarily.

Critics of President Ruto have accused him of blaming foreigners for Kenya’s economic difficulties ahead of an election next year, the government’s actions have raised concerns among migrant communities, highlighting the need for clear communication and protection during such policy shifts.

Kenya has long attracted migrants from the East African Community, an intergovernmental body that allows freedom of movement among its eight member states, including Burundi — the recent developments show the complexities of migration in the region and the importance of balancing economic policies with human rights considerations.