Latest news in Burundi? September 8th, 2026

Hundreds of Burundian nationals rushed to their country’s embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, to secure emergency travel documents and prepare to return home. This came following a directive from Kenyan President William Ruto ordering foreign nationals operating unlicensed small-scale businesses to shut down, which triggered localized fears, reports of harassment, and diplomatic tensions between Burundi and Kenya. In response to the growing crisis, Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Ministry strongly condemned threats against its citizens, prompting Kenyan officials to visit the embassy, clarify that the policy had been misunderstood, apologize for instances of harassment, and offer a formal registration window for documented workers. OkayAfrica+ 2