Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has apologised to Burundi nationals living in Kenya over the alleged harassment they have faced.
Speaking on Monday September 7, 2026 during a visit to the Embassy of Burundi in Nairobi, Sing’oei assured Burundi nationals of government support to ensure they are documented or voluntarily repatriated.
“I want to say sorry to all the Burundi nationals here because of the problem that you have befallen you. For so many years, you have lived in Kenya together with the Kenyan nationals. You have stayed in peace as neighbours,” Sing’oei said.
The PS noted that some Burundi nationals had been affected after a directive requiring people operating small businesses without licences to vacate the country was misunderstood.
“I say sorry because the other day there was a directive that those who operate small businesses without licences should vacate Kenya. Most of the people did not understand the message well and because of that, some of you have been exposed to ridicule from neighbours and friends, and we say sorry,” he said.
Sing’oei said the government’s intention was to ensure Africans, particularly East Africans, could live together peacefully while ensuring that foreign nationals in Kenya were properly documented.
According to the PS, the Kenyan government would establish where the foreign nationals live, ensure their safety and facilitate the acquisition of identification documents.
“I want to assure you that the intention of the government is to ensure that the Africans and East Africans live like brothers. Our intention is to know how you are living, make sure that we know where you are. That you are all okay and documented,” Sing’oei said.
The PS said the government also wanted to ensure that businesses operated by Burundi nationals were known and properly documented to give them greater security.
“We also want to ensure that you have identification documents and that your business is known so that you have a sense of security for your business,” he said.
Sing’oei asked the Burundi nationals to remain patient as the government undertakes the documentation exercise.
