The African Union Commission has dismissed a senior Burundian diplomat who criticised Kenya over its crackdown on foreign nationals operating businesses without the required documents.
Ambassador Fred Gateretse Ngoga, who had worked at the AU Commission for 17 years, left his position shortly after raising concerns over the treatment of Burundian traders in Kenya.
Ngoga had taken to X to question why Burundian nationals were being singled out during the crackdown, while other foreign nationals were also running businesses in the country.
His comments came as the Kenyan government stepped up enforcement against foreign traders who do not have the necessary immigration documents, work permits and business licences.
Ngoga later welcomed the Kenyan government’s decision to give foreign traders 90 days to regularise their status.
However, the circumstances surrounding his departure from the AU Commission have since become a point of contention.
Ngoga initially announced that he had resigned from his position. The AU Commission, however, disputed this account, saying he was summarily dismissed over what it described as gross misconduct.
The diplomat has since deleted his resignation post and has not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding his departure.
The development comes as Kenya continues to deal with concerns raised by Burundian nationals affected by the crackdown.
The 90-day grace period announced by the Kenyan government allows foreign traders to regularise their immigration status, work permits, business registrations and relevant licences before enforcement resumes.
The crackdown had caused anxiety among Burundian traders, with hundreds seeking help at the Burundi Embassy in Nairobi to obtain identification and travel documents.
Many Burundian nationals and their families had also stayed at the embassy as they sought assistance over their situation.
St John Ambulance and the Kenya Red Cross provided food supplies to those staying at the embassy during the period.
The Kenyan government has since apologised to Burundian nationals who faced difficulties during the enforcement operation.
Officials have maintained that Kenya has not imposed a blanket ban on foreign traders and that undocumented East African nationals can regularise their stay and business operations through their respective embassies.
The government has also urged foreign nationals operating businesses in Kenya to use the 90-day grace period to obtain the required documents before enforcement measures resume.
