The status of undocumented Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya was among the key issues discussed when UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan met his counterpart from Burundi’s ruling party, CNDD-FDD, in Nairobi.
Omar hosted CNDD-FDD Secretary General Révérien Ndikuriyo at the UDA headquarters on Wednesday, September 9, for talks that also focused on strengthening relations between the two political parties and sharing experiences on party building.
During the meeting, Ndikuriyo expressed gratitude to Kenya for the hospitality extended to Burundian citizens who continue to live and work in the country.
The two officials also discussed the situation of Burundian nationals who are in Kenya without the required documentation, with Omar assuring his counterpart that the government was committed to helping them regularise their stay.
"On the evolving situation involving undocumented Burundian nationals, Sen. Hassan reassured Hon. Ndikuriyo of the Government's commitment to regularise their stay, with the necessary work permits to be issued within a 90-day period," the statement further read.
The assurance comes as the government implements a 90-day plan aimed at allowing foreign nationals conducting business in Kenya to put their immigration and business affairs in order.
President William Ruto directed the exercise following an engagement with Kenyan traders who raised concerns about foreign participation in informal businesses and its impact on opportunities available to Kenyans.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said on Tuesday, September 8, that the government would use the period to protect the interests of Kenyan traders while ensuring that foreign nationals who are lawfully residing and doing business in the country are treated fairly.
"The President reaffirmed the Government’s responsibility to protect and expand economic opportunities for Kenyan citizens, particularly within the micro and small-enterprise sector that sustains millions of households.
"He equally affirmed the Government’s duty to safeguard the rights and legitimate interests of foreign nationals who are lawfully resident, employed, investing or conducting business in Kenya," the statement read.
The government has directed foreign nationals involved in business to ensure they meet the required immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing rules.
The 90-day period will provide an opportunity for those whose documents or business operations are not in order to regularise their status before the government begins stricter enforcement.
"In the meantime, every person conducting business in Kenya is required to comply with applicable immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements. Over the next 90 days, the Government will conduct an orderly regularisation exercise to facilitate compliance.
"The process will be coordinated by the relevant Government agencies, in consultation with the embassies concerned, to provide affected persons with a clear and structured opportunity to regularise their immigration status and business operations in accordance with the law," the statement read.
The exercise will involve relevant government agencies working with the embassies of affected foreign nationals to guide them through the process.
The government has also said the exercise will be carried out fairly and without discrimination, with enforcement measures expected to become stricter once the 90-day period ends.
"During this period, the responsible Government agencies will provide the necessary guidance and administer the applicable requirements fairly, consistently and without discrimination. At the conclusion of the 90-day regularisation period, immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements will be enforced firmly and strictly in accordance with the law and due process," the statement added.
Away from the issue of undocumented Burundian nationals, the UDA-CNDD-FDD meeting also sought to deepen political ties between Kenya and Burundi.
Omar and Ndikuriyo agreed that the two parties would cooperate, exchange experiences and learn from one another on party building.
UDA said the discussions were also part of the wider relationship between Kenya and Burundi, particularly through the East African Community, where the two countries work together on trade, investment and the movement of people and goods.
"Kenya and Burundi continue to enjoy close cooperation, with our two countries working together within the wider East African Community (EAC) on trade and investment, and with the free movement of people and goods central to this relationship," the statement read.
"The discussions centered on strengthening relations between the two countries, with UDA and CNDD-FDD agreeing to cooperate and learn from each other on Party building," the statement added.