Hundreds of Burundians queued outside their embassy in Nairobi on Monday seeking travel documents to return home, following President William Ruto's order for a crackdown on small-scale foreign traders in Kenya. According to Khusoko, most of those in line were young men, some carrying suitcases or a single bag of belongings. The development signals rising pressure on foreign traders operating in the country and prompted many Burundian nationals to prepare for departure.

Kenya has announced a temporary amnesty for undocumented East Africans living in the country, according to TimesLIVE. Despite assurances from authorities, Burundian refugees say they feel compelled to leave Kenya. The amnesty is intended to give undocumented nationals from East African countries an opportunity to regularise their status, but the report indicates that some refugee communities remain anxious about their situation and are choosing to depart rather than remain in the country.

According to Tuko, hundreds of Burundians and other foreign nationals gathered at Nairobi’s Country Bus Station and left for Uganda as Kenyan authorities intensified a crackdown linked to President William Ruto on illegal immigrants and unpermitted businesses. The report describes crowded departures and heightened fear among affected communities, but provides no casualty figures or official government statement confirming the scale of enforcement.

Burundian nationals living in Kenya are reportedly rushing to leave the country ahead of an anticipated government crackdown on foreign traders, according to the Sowetan. The reported exodus follows a call by Kenya's president for authorities to shut down all small-scale businesses operated by foreigners who lack valid permits. The directive targets unpermitted foreign-owned enterprises, and its announcement has heightened anxiety among immigrant trading communities, prompting many Burundians to prepare for departure before enforcement begins.

Kenya's Ambassador to Burundi, Henry Wambuma, has assured Kenyan citizens living in Burundi that they remain safe, stating that bilateral relations between the two East African nations remain intact despite an ongoing crackdown on foreign small-scale traders in Kenya. In a diplomatic address issued on Monday, September 7, 2026, Wambuma urged Kenyans residing in Burundi to remain calm, according to Ghafla Kenya.

According to Tuko, the Kenyan government has introduced a condition that Burundian nationals must meet to operate small businesses in Kenya. The report says the requirement was announced as authorities pursue a broader crackdown on foreigners, but the provided text does not specify the exact condition, affected sectors, enforcement timeline, or how many Burundian business owners could be impacted.