The government has opened registration and documentation of all foreign nationals residing in Kenya without valid documents.
Government spokesperson Charles Owino asked foreigners, including Burundi nationals to register with their respective embassies and register to get documents to enable them stay in Kenya.
Addressing a news conference on Monday, Mr Owino said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in talks with the various embassies to facilitate the issuance of documents to foreign nationals who are resident and doing business in the country without valid documents.
Mr Owino said the government recognises that due to historical circumstances and regional dynamics, a number of East African nationals, including several Burundians, reside and operate in Kenya without full documentation.
He said in many instances, this lack of documentation leaves these individuals vulnerable to exploitation, health emergencies, and unnecessary harassment by law enforcement.
“To address this constructively, the government of Kenya is establishing a formal Documentation and Registration Window. We call upon all undocumented East African Community nationals, and specifically Burundian citizens currently residing in Kenya, to immediately present themselves to their respective High Commissions or Embassies for formal identity registration,” Mr Owino said.
“During this process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will engage directly with the Embassy of Burundi and other regional partners to cooperatively manage and regularise these cases.”
He said for the duration of this designated registration period, all individuals undergoing registration will be presumed legally present in the Republic of Kenya.
He said the registration window is designed to bring EAC residents who are currently in the country out of the shadows, ensuring they can access health, banking, and legal protections without fear.
Mr Owino said all further administrative and operational details regarding the documentation process will be coordinated and communicated directly through the respective foreign missions.
“Following recent public discourse and media reporting surrounding Kenya’s foreign worker and small-scale trade directives, the government of Kenya wishes to provide a definitive and structured clarification. On September 2, 2026, His Excellency President William Ruto issued directives aimed at regulating small-scale retail and informal trade activities within our borders in line with the proposed local content bill 2025,” Mr Owino said.
“The core intent of these measures is to protect vulnerable sectors of our domestic economy, safeguard local livelihoods, and maintain the integrity of our national identity systems. This is not unique to Kenya, it aligns with standard legislative practices across our region, such as the proposed Local Content Bill, 2025, which balances economic patriotism with structured trade.”
Burundians queue at the Embassy of Burundi Chancery in Nairobi on September 7, 2026 to regularise their documents.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Mr Owino said Kenya is a country governed by the rule of law, and the national reputation is anchored on regional leadership and human dignity.
He said the government maintains a policy of absolute zero tolerance toward any form of harassment, intimidation, or xenophobia.
“We issue a strict directive to all national security agencies, local authorities, and the business community: No foreign national, documented or currently undergoing registration, is to be subjected to arbitrary harassment or discrimination,” Mr Owino said.
“Any elements seeking to exploit recent directives to fuel xenophobic sentiment or mistreat our neighbours will face the full force of the law. In partnership with civil society networks and humanitarian organisations, we are actively strengthening the monitoring of migrant safety in urban centers to ensure fair and dignified treatment for all.”
Mr Owino said the administrative regularisation will be conducted in close coordination with our regional partners.
Burundians queue at the Embassy of Burundi Chancery in Nairobi on September 7, 2026 to regularise their documents.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
He said the government notes with concern the recent coverage by international outlets such as Le Monde who have misinterpreted the administrative measures as a blanket ban or hostile action targeting foreign nationals, particularly those from our neighbouring East African states.
“The government of Kenya categorically rejects these mischaracterisations. Kenya’s commitment to the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol remains absolute and unwavering,” he said.
“We view our East African neighbours not as foreigners, but as brothers and sisters of our shared Jumuiya. Our history, culture, and destiny are deeply intertwined.”
President Ruto issued a tough directive against foreigners operating small-scale businesses in Kenya which has triggered anxiety among foreign traders, with footage circulating online appearing to show some nationals from Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo leaving areas where they had been engaged in petty trade and casual work.
The developments come as the government begins implementing a directive announced by Dr Ruto requiring foreigners involved in hawking, small retail shops and similar low-capital businesses to stop operating in those sectors.
However, the government’s directive does not amount to a blanket order for all foreigners to leave Kenya.
The policy is specifically focused on economic activities that the government says should be reserved for Kenyan citizens.
Burundians guard their personal effecta outside the Embassy of Burundi Chancery in Nairobi on September 7, 2026 where they flocked to regularise their documents.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said on September 6 that foreign nationals who meet Kenya’s legal requirements, including holding the necessary work permits and licences, remain legally protected to operate businesses.
Dr Ruto made his position clear on September 2 while addressing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise traders at State House in Nairobi.
The President directed that foreigners involved in hawking and petty retail should close their businesses, with the enforcement exercise scheduled to begin on Monday, September 7.
“From next week, all traders doing those small businesses should close them,” Dr Ruto said.
He questioned why Kenya should attract foreign nationals to compete with locals in low-capital businesses.
“We have made efforts to improve the economy… We have not improved investor confidence for hawkers to come to Kenya,” Ruto said.
“It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop.”
Dr Ruto has argued that Kenya welcomes foreign investment, particularly investments that bring substantial capital, create jobs and expand productive capacity, but that foreigners should not displace Kenyans in businesses that require relatively little capital.
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