Kenyan authorities have announced a temporary amnesty for undocumented East African migrants in the country, assuring them of legal protection while they register with their respective embassies.
The move follows growing anxiety among foreign nationals after President William Ruto directed foreign-owned small businesses operating in the country to shut down, triggering fears of a wider crackdown on undocumented migrants.
The government said individuals who come forward during the designated registration period would be regarded as legally present in Kenya while their documentation is being processed.
“For the duration of this designated registration period, all individuals undergoing registration will be presumed legally present in the Republic of Kenya,” the government said in a statement.
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It also instructed security agencies and local authorities to ensure that foreign nationals are not subjected to arbitrary harassment or discrimination during the registration exercise.
The announcement comes days after President Ruto ordered foreign-owned small businesses to close by Monday, arguing that Kenya needed to prioritise opportunities for its own citizens.
Ruto’s comments generated concern among foreign nationals, particularly Burundians working as street vendors in Nairobi.
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Many migrants reportedly feared that the government’s directive could lead to arrests, deportations or the loss of their livelihoods, prompting some to begin making preparations to leave the country.
At the Burundi embassy in Nairobi, crowds were seen queuing for hours as migrants sought documentation and assistance.
Some arrived carrying large brown envelopes containing their papers, while suitcases, plastic bags and other belongings reportedly piled up around the embassy compound as people prepared for the possibility of returning home.
The Kenyan government’s latest directive is intended to provide migrants with a window to regularise their status without facing immediate enforcement action.
Authorities have also stressed that the registration process should be conducted without discrimination, as the government seeks to establish a clearer record of foreign nationals living and working in Kenya.
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The development comes amid broader concerns across East Africa over migration, informal employment and the movement of workers between countries within the region.
For many affected migrants, however, the temporary protection offers some relief after days of uncertainty over whether they would be allowed to remain in Kenya.
The government has urged undocumented foreign nationals to take advantage of the registration period and formally engage with their respective embassies to regularise their status.
