CONGOLESE AND BURUNDIAN NATIONALS QUEUE ON DENIS PRITT ROAD FOR BORDER PASSES AS KENYA ENFORCES CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN TRADERS

Hundreds of Congolese and Burundian nationals gathered along Denis Pritt Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on Monday as they sought border passes and travel documents to return to their home countries.

The activity centres on the Embassy of Burundi’s offices on Denis Pritt Road, next to Gracia Garden Hotel, where officials began issuing *Laisser-Passer* travel documents from September 7, 2026. The documents allow Burundian nationals to travel within East African Community (EAC) member states and are valid for one year. Processing runs daily from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with applications submitted one day available for collection only the next. Applicants must provide a passport-sized photo against a white background, a copy of their national identity card, a complete identity certificate, and a valid residence certificate.

The move comes as President William Ruto’s directive restricting foreign nationals from operating small retail shops and engaging in hawking takes effect. Ruto announced the crackdown earlier in the week, stating that such activities should be reserved for Kenyans while welcoming foreign investment that creates jobs and expands production. Enforcement was set to begin September 7.

Many Burundians and Congolese living in Nairobi have worked in the informal sector—hawking, small shops, and related trades—in areas such as Gikomba, Eastleigh, and other markets. The policy shift has prompted some to prepare for voluntary return, with the Burundi Embassy facilitating the process for its citizens amid reports of heightened tensions and concerns over mistreatment. Burundi’s diplomatic mission has publicly expressed worry about the treatment of its nationals and called for regional attention through East African Community channels.

Congolese nationals were also visible in the queues. While the Democratic Republic of Congo’s embassy is located in Runda, many Congolese in Kenya have similarly relied on informal livelihoods and face the same regulatory pressures. Kenya’s relatively open EAC free-movement protocols have long allowed nationals from partner states extended stays, but authorities have clarified that visa-free entry does not automatically grant the right to work or trade without proper permits.

Embassy officials urged applicants to arrive early to avoid being turned away after the 2 p.m. cutoff. The *Laisser-Passer* is designed specifically for intra-EAC travel and does not replace a full passport for other destinations.

The scene on Denis Pritt Road reflects broader regional dynamics: economic migration driven by opportunity in Kenya’s informal economy, combined with recent policy emphasis on protecting local traders. As processing continues, more nationals from the two countries are expected to complete applications in the coming days as they finalise plans to travel home.