NAIROBI, Kenya: Kenya says it will register undocumented Burundians and other East Africans living in the country, following days of anxiety over President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreigners in small-scale businesses.
On Monday, hundreds of Burundians scrambled to process travel documents amid uncertainty over whether they could remain in Kenya.
Charles Owino, the Kenyan government spokesperson, has now said those without proper documents should register through their embassies or high commissions as the authorities work with diplomatic missions to regularise their status.
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Those undergoing registration would be presumed legally in Kenya during the process, Owino said.
Ruto had set Monday as the deadline for foreigners operating small-scale businesses to cease work. The directive came after the trade ministry said some foreigners exploit visa rules to work without the required permits.
Long queues were seen outside Burundi’s embassy in the capital, Nairobi, after it said it would offer free emergency travel documents to citizens who wanted to go back home.
Others were seen racing to buy bus tickets.
