Au Kenya, des propos du président sur les étrangers poussent des Burundais à vouloir partir
"They are expelling us like animals": like hundreds of his compatriots, Burundian pastor Jean-Baptiste Ndayizeye tried on Monday at the Burundian embassy in Nairobi to obtain a pass to return to his country, frightened by recent remarks by the Kenyan president.
Less than a year before a presidential election in which his re-election is far from certain, President William Ruto gave foreigners "running small businesses" until Monday to close them. He did not specify the size of the businesses concerned, nor whether legally registered businesses were included.
"We did not build investor confidence for street vendors to come to Kenya," he explained to Kenyan entrepreneurs on September 2.
A rhetoric reminiscent of that heard in recent months in South Africa, where thousands of Africans have fled sometimes deadly anti-migrant demonstrations and a tightening of controls targeting foreigners.
"What the South Africans did to foreigners and what the Kenyans are doing is the same thing," Pastor Ndayizeye protested, even though Mr. Ruto did not mention expulsions.
On Monday, hundreds of Burundians, kraft envelopes in hand, queued for hours in the sun at the small Burundian embassy to request a pass allowing them to return home, lacking passports or identity documents.
Some had already packed their belongings in suitcases and plastic bags.
"They are so sad" to leave Kenya, "it's not fair," remarks Philemon Jaika Adamba, a Kenyan motorcycle taxi driver who transported two of them.
Burundi, a country of about 15 million inhabitants and among the poorest in the world, is part, like Kenya, of the East African Community (EAC), within which the free movement of citizens is guaranteed.
And Kenya, the economic powerhouse of the EAC, is seen as a prime destination, even though opportunities remain scarce for a large part of the population. More than 400,000 Kenyans—encouraged by the Kenyan authorities—have themselves migrated, particularly to the Gulf countries, in search of a better future in recent years.
After years of unemployment in Burundi, Eric Bizimana came to Kenya in 2022 "in search of a (better) life." However, he barely scraped by, earning between 100 and 130 euros a month in low-paying jobs. He never applied for a work permit, which is mandatory but, he says, financially impossible to obtain.
"In South Africa, it was the population that ordered foreigners to leave" the country, "but here in Kenya, it was (...) the president who ordered it," he observes.
Mélance Bukuru, 32, who has also taken on many odd jobs, is asking the Kenyan government, like his fellow citizens interviewed by AFP, for a delay so that he can raise the hundred euros needed to pay for his return trip.
As for Nkunzimana Déo, a carpenter, he hurried all weekend to deliver to his customers and closed his furniture manufacturing workshop on Monday, as demanded by William Ruto, even though it is registered with the Kenyan tax authorities and employs eight people, including four Kenyans.
Having arrived in Kenya in 2015, where he obtained refugee status, he theoretically has the right to work, even though "the documents are difficult to obtain," he says. Now back home, he is waiting "to see if the president will change his policy."
Burundian Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana denounced on Monday "violence against foreigners, particularly Burundians", in Kenya, which AFP was unable to verify.
Also on Monday, the number 2 at the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing'Oei, visited the Burundi embassy and tried to allay concerns: "Recently, it was said that those who had small unregistered businesses would be forced to leave the country," but "many misunderstood."
Because of this, "many (of you) have been attacked by neighbors or friends. We are sorry about that," he assured.
In a poor neighborhood of Nairobi, nicknamed "Burundi State" by its inhabitants because of the large number of Burundians living there, about ten people interviewed by AFP said they agreed with President Ruto.
Burundians take jobs from Kenyans because they accept being paid half as much as them, but also their housing, in which they crowd together, these people claim.
"Kenyans are not racist when they speak like that," argues Ann Kerubo, a shopkeeper, who believes that "life in Kenya is now so difficult," starting with Kenyans.
AFP
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