Kenyan Church joins warnings against xenophobic violence after Ruto’s migrant crackdown

There were concerns the country could suffer disturbances like those recently seen in South Africa, where vigilante groups attacked foreign nationals over several months earlier this year.

Churches, faith leaders and human rights organisations in Kenya criticised President William Ruto’s crackdown on migrant workers, as tensions and sporadic attacks were reported across the country.

Ruto directed the authorities to close small businesses run by foreigners, with measures coming into effect on 7 September. They targeted foreigners working as petty traders, hawkers and small businesses owners – mostly migrants from other parts of Africa – arguing that low-level jobs should be left to Kenyans.

There were concerns the country could descend into xenophobic violence echoing events recently seen in South Africa, after reports of some attacks on foreign nationals.

“These attacks have made most of them to lose their businesses, created xenophobic concerns, had them seen as enemies of small-scale traders, and has also destabilised families, since some of them have intermarried with Kenyans,” said a statement from the Interreligious Council of Kenya, which works with the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“The net effect is that foreign nationals living and operating in Kenya from neighbouring countries have, to date, borne the brunt of fierce crackdown, attacks, harassment and violence from some Kenyans.”

The faith leaders also expressed fears of retaliatory violence against Kenyans working elsewhere in Africa. They warned that in the event of the revenge attacks the economy could lose remittances from the diaspora.

Kenya hosts nearly 900,000 migrants from across the region, with many working in salons and barber shops or selling groundnut and coffee on the streets. Others are labourers in construction sites or work as farmhands, and some are taxi drivers.

This week, some migrants living in towns were still trying to find means to return home. Tensions remain high, although government officials issued statements to correct the situation, offered an apology to the migrants and extended their stay for another 90 days.

Most affected migrants are from Burundi. Soon after the announcement, many of them trooped to their embassy in Nairobi to seek travel documents or to regularise their stay. About 200 of them hid in a church in Mombasa, after reportedly receiving threats.

Two weeks after the announcement, migrants were still milling around their embassy in Nairobi, trying to acquire official documents. Some of them say they can’t afford the fare to travel home.

“As religious leaders, we condemn in the strongest terms possible the singling out of small-scale traders of Burundi origin who have been subjected to harassment and violent attacks by fellow Kenyans,” said the Interreligious Council statement, urging citizens to desist from venting hostility against immigrants.

In June, the South African Council of Churches urged its members to open their doors for dialogue and the humanitarian emergencies, as a wave xenophobic attack tore through the country.

Vigilante groups – sometimes armed with clubs, whips, knives and spears – had for months attacked foreign nationals, especially Black African migrants. The violence ended after voluntary repatriations, state-led evacuations and diplomatic efforts.

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