COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has called for tighter border controls and stronger immigration enforcement amid the controversy surrounding the treatment of Burundian nationals living and doing business in Kenya.
Speaking during Citizen TV’s Sunday Night show on Sunday, September 20, Atwoli said Kenya, like other countries, must maintain proper records of foreigners within its borders as part of efforts to safeguard national security.
Atwoli argued that foreigners should possess valid travel and identification documents to enable authorities to monitor their presence and movement in the country.
> “Every country has a list of foreigners; foreigners must have passports because of controlling crime,” Atwoli said.
His remarks came against the backdrop of heightened concerns among Burundian nationals following the government’s crackdown on foreigners engaged in certain small-scale businesses.
The initial directive created anxiety among sections of the Burundian community, with hundreds reportedly seeking assistance at the Burundi Embassy in Nairobi. The situation subsequently attracted diplomatic attention after Burundi raised concerns over reports of harassment and mistreatment of its citizens.
The Kenyan government later extended the timeframe for affected foreign nationals to regularise their immigration and business status, replacing the initial five-day enforcement period with a 90-day regularisation window.
Atwoli maintained that Kenya has a responsibility to protect its borders and ensure that immigration authorities have adequate capacity to monitor foreign nationals.
> “We must tame them. Every country must guard its borders, and it must have a strong immigration department,” he said.
The veteran trade unionist also raised concerns about the long-term implications of foreigners who establish permanent lives in Kenya without clearly defined immigration status.
> “If we have Burundians here, after 20-30 years, when they are here, they will claim to be another Kenyan tribe,” Atwoli said.
His comments add to an ongoing national debate over the balance between Kenya’s responsibility to regulate immigration and the rights of foreign nationals living and working in the country.
Kenya and Burundi are both members of the East African Community, whose Common Market framework provides for the movement of people and workers among member states, while national immigration, employment and business regulations continue to apply.
The government has maintained that its measures are aimed at enforcing existing laws rather than targeting a particular nationality. It has also said foreign nationals who meet the necessary requirements can continue living and conducting lawful business in Kenya.
The controversy has therefore placed renewed focus on immigration enforcement, foreign participation in Kenya’s informal economy and the obligations of EAC member states to protect citizens moving across regional borders.