The Kenyan government has moved to reassure Burundian nationals living and working in the country that they remain safe following public outrage over a viral video in which a Kenyan man was seen confronting a Burundian street vendor selling tea and mandazi.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media, sparked condemnation from many Kenyans and prompted concern among officials in both Kenya and Burundi after the trader was subjected to remarks widely viewed as xenophobic.
In the video, the man questioned the vendor’s presence in Kenya and accused him of taking away business and employment opportunities from locals.
The incident ignited a broader conversation about the treatment of foreign nationals and the importance of protecting the East African Community’s principle of free movement and regional cooperation.
Reacting to the incident, Burundi’s Ambassador to Kenya, Fred Ngoga, said the comments made in the video did not reflect the character of most Kenyans, praising those who openly rejected the incident.
“The majority of Kenyans are decent and good people who welcome their brothers and sisters from Burundi. We also intermarry. A majority have rejected this hate,” Ngoga said in a statement shared on X.
The ambassador also expressed appreciation to Kenyan leaders and members of the public who condemned the confrontation. He appealed for continued protection of Burundian citizens living in Kenya, saying they deserve to live and work with dignity as members of the East African Community.
The Kenyan government responded by reaffirming its commitment to the safety of all citizens from partner states within the regional bloc.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei assured Burundians that Kenya remains a welcoming country for East Africans seeking opportunities across its borders.
“To assure that our brothers and sisters from Burundi, as part of the citizens of Jumuiya, are safe in Kenya,” Sing’Oei wrote in a message posted on X.
Kenya and Burundi are members of the East African Community, whose integration framework allows citizens to move across borders for business, employment, education and investment.
Thousands of Burundians have established livelihoods in Kenya, contributing to different sectors of the economy while strengthening regional ties.
The latest incident has also renewed discussion about growing anti-foreigner sentiments in some parts of the continent, particularly in countries where debates over immigration and employment have occasionally resulted in hostility toward foreign nationals.
Even so, the swift response from both governments has underscored the importance of promoting peaceful coexistence, protecting regional unity and ensuring that all East African citizens are treated with respect regardless of their nationality.
