Reprieve for Burundians and Other Foreign Nationals as Govt Gives 90 Days to Regularise Status

Reprieve for Burundians and Other Foreign Nationals as Govt Gives 90 Days to Regularise Status

Foreign nationals operating small businesses in Kenya have been given a 90-day window to regularise their immigration and business status before the government begins strict enforcement of the relevant laws.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed announced the reprieve on Tuesday, September 8, offering relief to hundreds of foreigners who had faced uncertainty following President William Ruto’s directive on foreign participation in small-scale trade.

The government said the 90-day period will allow affected individuals to obtain the required immigration documents, work permits, business registrations and operating licences.

“Every person conducting business in Kenya is required to comply with applicable immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements. Over the next 90 days, the Government will conduct an orderly regularisation exercise to facilitate compliance.”

The exercise will involve several government agencies working with embassies representing the affected foreign nationals.

Govt Sets 90-Day Regularisation Period

According to State House, the regularisation process is intended to provide foreign nationals with a structured opportunity to comply with Kenyan laws without facing immediate disruption of their businesses.

The government said the process would be administered fairly and consistently, while allowing those affected to understand and meet the applicable requirements.

“The process will be coordinated by the relevant Government agencies, in consultation with the embassies concerned, to provide affected persons with a clear and structured opportunity to regularise their immigration status and business operations in accordance with the law.”

The announcement came after confusion and anxiety among foreign traders following Ruto’s directive to address what the government described as illegal foreign participation in petty trade.

Burundians Seek Help Amid Crackdown

Burundian nationals were among the foreign traders affected by the uncertainty.

On Monday and Tuesday, hundreds of Burundians reportedly visited their embassy in Nairobi seeking assistance and travel documents amid concerns over their status and reports of possible harassment.

The 90-day window has now provided a temporary reprieve as the government moves to establish a clearer implementation framework.

The government has maintained that foreign nationals who wish to operate businesses in Kenya must meet the country’s immigration and commercial requirements.

The measures apply to documentation such as valid immigration status, work permits, business registration and relevant operating licences.

Govt Warns Against Harassment

While announcing the regularisation period, State House also made it clear that the enforcement exercise should not be used as an excuse to target foreigners.

The government warned individuals against taking matters into their own hands or interfering with businesses belonging to foreign nationals.

“No individual or group has the authority to harass, intimidate, threaten or interfere with foreign nationals or their businesses.”

State House said anyone who engages in such conduct would face action under Kenyan law.

The government therefore appears to be pursuing a two-track approach: enforcing immigration and business regulations while protecting foreign nationals from unlawful harassment.

Strict Enforcement After 90 Days

The reprieve, however, is temporary.

Hussein said government agencies would provide guidance during the 90-day period and assist affected foreign nationals through the compliance process.

“During this period, the responsible Government agencies will provide the necessary guidance and administer the applicable requirements fairly, consistently, and without discrimination. At the conclusion of the 90-day regularisation period, immigration, work-permit, registration, and licensing requirements will be enforced firmly and strictly in accordance with the law and due process.”

The announcement is expected to ease tensions among foreign traders while giving authorities time to coordinate the enforcement process.

For Burundians and other foreign nationals operating small businesses, the next three months will therefore be critical as they seek to regularise their status and ensure their businesses comply with Kenyan law.

The government has urged affected traders to use the window to complete the necessary procedures rather than wait for enforcement to begin.

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Reprieve for Burundians and Other Foreign Nationals as Govt Gives 90 Days to Regularise Status