This article describes the experience of a Burundian trader experiencing xenophobia in Kenya.
A few weeks ago, the Kenyan President said that small scale traders from other countries should shut down their businesses within a week to protect those opportunities for Kenyans.
Citizens for the East African Community have free movement within Kenya, but still need a permit to work and open businesses. Not that the President only specified those operating without a permit should close.
At first, there was something of a contrast to the xenophobia we’ve seen in South Africa: it seemed to be coming from the government rather than the population, whereas in South Africa it was more or less the other way around. This is how Kenyans on Reddit were framing it.
But in this article the Burundian trader describes a sudden shift: previously, Kenyans were friendly and welcoming but all of a sudden he started experiencing abuse on the streets from Kenyans. It seems as if the xenophobes who may previously have been somewhat closeted have been given the permission to go mask off.
This story is interesting because it is a case study of how quickly things can flip in a country. If you’d asked me just last year, I’d say that Kenya was fairly pan-Africanist and was the most serious country trying to push for more regional integration and that Kenyans are generally fairly outward looking, global minded people. I’m sure that all those open minded are still there, I don’t think they’ve changed. But it sounds like the lid has been lifted on xenophobic attitudes that were bubbling.
I’m not Kenyan so I don’t have a local view of the situation. Any Kenyans who do have a local view should feel free to correct any errors or misperceptions.
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This article describes the experience of a Burundian trader experiencing xenophobia in Kenya.
A few weeks ago, the Kenyan President said that small scale traders from other countries should shut down their businesses within a week to protect those opportunities for Kenyans.
Citizens for the East African Community have free movement within Kenya, but still need a permit to work and open businesses. Not that the President only specified those operating without a permit should close.
At first, there was something of a contrast to the xenophobia we’ve seen in South Africa: it seemed to be coming from the government rather than the population, whereas in South Africa it was more or less the other way around. This is how Kenyans on Reddit were framing it.
But in this article the Burundian trader describes a sudden shift: previously, Kenyans were friendly and welcoming but all of a sudden he started experiencing abuse on the streets from Kenyans. It seems as if the xenophobes who may previously have been somewhat closeted have been given the permission to go mask off.
This story is interesting because it is a case study of how quickly things can flip in a country. If you’d asked me just last year, I’d say that Kenya was fairly pan-Africanist and was the most serious country trying to push for more regional integration and that Kenyans are generally fairly outward looking, global minded people. I’m sure that all those open minded are still there, I don’t think they’ve changed. But it sounds like the lid has been lifted on xenophobic attitudes that were bubbling.
I’m not Kenyan so I don’t have a local view of the situation. Any Kenyans who do have a local view should feel free to correct any errors or misperceptions.