Kenya is moving to shut down unlicensed small businesses operated by foreign nationals, after President William Ruto set a deadline for foreigners in small-scale trading to cease work. The Trade Ministry said visa-free entry does not grant the right to work and accused some visitors of entering as tourists or investors before conducting business outside their declared status. Officials said foreigners with valid work permits and licences may continue operating legally. The move has triggered concern in Burundi, whose embassy offered emergency free travel documents to citizens willing to return home amid reports of mistreatment. Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Edouard Bizimana warned that continued hate speech could affect Kenyans living in Burundi, while regional officials urged protection for Burundians in Kenya. The government says Kenya remains open to foreign investment that creates jobs and expands production, but critics have warned that the policy could fuel xenophobia and create wider regional tensions. Parliament is separately considering the Local Content Bill, 2025, which has not been enacted.