For nine years Ndaikech Ali has navigated Nairobi’s traffic as a tuk‑tuk driver and has always believed Kenyans were friendly. Until last week, when President William Ruto announced a plan to shut down all foreign‑owned small shops by 7 September. The message caused a wave of panic among traders of foreign origin.
“Now they have turned against us,” Ali told the BBC from the Burundian embassy. “It’s like a dog has been set loose on us; we have been bitten.” He added that the threat has come from all angles, even children, and that many have started lining up for documents to return home.
The decree, part of legislation that would reserve petty trade for Kenyans, triggered a diplomatic row: the Burundian foreign affairs minister warned of “hate speech against Burundi” that could affect Kenyans abroad. Meanwhile, legal experts argue the broad ban risks stoking xenophobia and harming Kenya’s reputation as a safe haven.
Faced with citizens fleeing, the government granted a 90‑day window for undocumented foreign nationals running businesses to register and prove they are living legally. Those who comply will be presumed lawful residents during the process.
Foreign traders and the wider migrant community—Ethiopians, Eritreans, Tanzanians—have expressed fears of forced separation, financial hardship, and the loss of livelihood. Figures from the East African Community show that opening the door to competition benefits not only the traders but the host economies as well.
In the last week, the rhetoric was amplified when Ruto also demanded Tata Chemicals leave Kenya after criticizing the company’s impact on local communities.
Many ordinary Kenyans support the move, but civil‑society groups and foreign nationals alike call for clearer communication and a balanced approach that protects both jobs and rights. Ruto’s spokesperson reiterated that Kenya remains an open, secure country, pledging to safeguard opportunities for all lawful persons within the borders.
