Pan-African Parliament’s Kenya delegation chairperson Danson Mungatana has condemned reported harassment of Burundian nationals in parts of the country, warning that xenophobic actions threaten Kenya’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and regional integration.
Mungatana who is Tana River Senator said reported incidents targeting Burundians, particularly in Nakuru, should not be tolerated in a country that supports free movement, cross-border trade and cooperation among African states.
“Kenya must not become a country where fellow Africans are harassed, intimidated or targeted because of their nationality,” he said on Tuesday
He said the issue extends beyond Kenya’s domestic affairs because hostility towards African nationals goes against the principles of the Pan-African project and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mungatana said Kenya’s participation in AfCFTA, including its role in the Guided Trade Initiative, should be supported by policies that allow Africans to trade and invest freely across borders.
“We cannot, on the one hand, call for Africans to trade with one another while, on the other hand, creating an atmosphere of hostility towards African traders who come to Kenya,” he said.
He called on the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and security agencies to investigate the reported incidents and establish whether individuals organised, incited or took part in unlawful actions against Burundian nationals.
Mungatana said any breaches of immigration or business regulations should be handled by government agencies rather than through mob action or intimidation.
“Where a person is operating without the required permit or licence, the remedy is the law,” he said, adding that legitimate concerns over foreign businesses should be addressed through licensing, taxation, immigration and labour enforcement.
“There can be no justification for mob action, threats, harassment, discrimination or vigilantism.”
Mungatana also urged Kenyans to distinguish between enforcing the law and targeting people because of their nationality.
He noted that Burundi, like Kenya, is a member of the East African Community and warned that economic competition should not fuel hostility between citizens of the two countries.
“Burundi is not our enemy. Burundians are our brothers and sisters,” he said.
At the same time, he urged Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya to comply with Kenyan laws, while insisting that their nationality should not expose them to unlawful treatment.
Mungatana linked the concerns to his recent motion at the Pan-African Parliament seeking stronger measures against xenophobic violence targeting African nationals in South Africa.
He said Kenya would be contradicting its own position if it condemned xenophobia against Kenyans abroad while remaining silent when other Africans faced similar treatment within the country.
Mungatana called on political leaders, religious leaders, the media, business organisations and civil society to reject xenophobia and promote peaceful coexistence.
“Africa must not turn against Africa and Kenya must lead by example,” he said.