Burundians rush to leave Kenya after business crackdown

Hundreds of Burundians living in Kenya went to their embassy in Nairobi on Monday seeking travel documents to leave the country, days after President William Ruto ordered small businesses run by foreigners to close.

Ruto last week gave foreign-owned small businesses until Monday to shut down. The move alarmed many foreigners, particularly Burundians working as street vendors in Nairobi.

Crowds queued for hours outside the Burundi embassy, with suitcases and plastic bags piled up at the compound as some prepared to leave.

Pastor Jean-Baptiste Ndayizeye, a Burundian, said two of his neighbours had been attacked and robbed. AFP could not independently verify his claims.

Burundi's foreign minister Edouard Bizimana condemned what he called violence against foreigners, particularly Burundians, and said Kenya's government was responsible for the lives of Burundians in the country.

Kenya's junior foreign minister Korir Sing'Oei visited the embassy later Monday, apologised to Burundians and said police would protect areas where violence had been reported. He said Ruto's remarks had been misunderstood.

Kenyan government spokesperson Charles Owino said authorities had opened a formal documentation and registration window and called on Burundians to present their paperwork at the embassy.

Kenya and Burundi are both members of the East African Community, whose members have freedom of movement within the regional bloc.