Burundian Nationals Rush to Cybercafés Amid Crackdown

Burundian nationals in Kenya are reportedly flocking to cybercafés and bus stations, with many scrambling to trace their documents and seek ways to travel back home. This surge in activity follows a directive from President William Ruto aimed at undocumented non-Kenyans, including Burundians and Rwandans, prohibiting them from selling or hawking goods on Kenyan streets.

President Ruto's crackdown, effective from September 7, 2026, is part of a broader effort to protect local traders from what the government describes as unfair competition. According to The Star, the directive has left many foreign traders in a state of panic as they try to comply with new regulations.

William Ruto, who has been in office since September 2022, has made significant moves to reshape Kenya's economic landscape. His administration has focused on empowering local businesses and ensuring that economic opportunities primarily benefit Kenyan citizens. This crackdown on foreign hawkers is a continuation of his government's policy to reserve small-scale trade for locals.

The situation has sparked concerns among foreign vendors, particularly those from Burundi, who have established their livelihoods in urban areas like Nairobi. Many fear potential job losses and the economic impact of these new regulations, as they scramble to get their paperwork in order. The government's push for local content, as outlined in the proposed Local Content Bill, 2025, aims to restrict foreign participation in certain trading activities and mandates that foreign firms employ at least 80% Kenyan workers and source at least 60% of goods locally, according to Africa Updates.

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