Story perspectives

Ruto Orders Crackdown on Foreign Small Businesses in Nairobi

9/10/2026

Center

Ruto Crackdown

Kenyan President William Ruto ordered a crackdown on foreign small businesses, prompting hundreds of Burundians to gather at Nairobi’s Burundian embassy on September 7 2026.
The government opened a 90-day registration window for undocumented East African nationals to regularise immigration status, work permits and business licences.
Abraham Korir Sing'oei apologized and pledged tighter security in Burundian neighborhoods.
Hussein Mohamed said agencies will guide and apply the registration process fairly, without discrimination.

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Ruto Crackdown

On September 7 2026 President William Ruto ordered a crackdown on small businesses, prompting hundreds of Burundian migrants to line up at Nairobi’s embassy.
The directive sparked attacks, robberies and insults like “expelled like animals,” and officials warned anyone using it to fuel xenophobia will face legal force.
Government spokesperson said foreign nationals would not face arbitrary harassment.
Foreign minister Abraham Korir Sing’Oei visited the embassy, apologized and pledged police protection for migrants.

History

Historical Context

Kenya’s reliance on mass registration dates to post-independence nationality rules, beginning with the 1963 Citizenship Act and intensified by the 1985 Constitution’s shift to jus sanguinis. The 2010 Constitution later permitted dual nationality and streamlined registration, a framework the September 7 2026 decree by President William Ruto—targeting Burundian shop owners—revives, prompting UNHCR and IOM calls for safeguards.

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Ruto Crackdown

Kenyan President William Ruto ordered a crackdown on foreign small businesses, prompting hundreds of Burundians to gather at Nairobi’s Burundian embassy on September 7 2026.
The government opened a 90-day registration window for undocumented East African nationals to regularise immigration status, work permits and business licences.
Abraham Korir Sing'oei apologized and pledged tighter security in Burundian neighborhoods.
Hussein Mohamed said agencies will guide and apply the registration process fairly, without discrimination.

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