Nairobi (WDN) — Confusion and anxiety spread across Nairobi as Kenyan security and immigration authorities intensified a crackdown on foreign nationals believed to be living in the country without valid immigration status, following a recent directive from President William Ruto calling for the removal of undocumented foreigners.

The enforcement operation was particularly visible on the streets of Nairobi, where foreign nationals reportedly became increasingly cautious about leaving their homes amid uncertainty over who was being targeted and what legal status was required to avoid arrest or deportation.

A significant number of those seen attempting to leave Kenya were reportedly nationals of Burundi, with some beginning overland journeys back to their country while others sought assistance from their respective embassies to facilitate their departure.

The operation also caused concern within Nairobi’s Somali community, particularly in Eastleigh, where some Somalis without valid immigration documents reportedly remained inside their homes, fearing that the crackdown could affect them.

Questions Over the Scope of the Crackdown

The operation has raised questions about how President Ruto’s directive was being interpreted and whether enforcement agencies were adequately distinguishing between foreigners without lawful immigration status and nationals of countries covered by regional arrangements.

The uncertainty has been particularly pronounced among members of the East African Community (EAC), which includes Kenya and Somalia.

Some members of the Somali community expressed surprise over reports that immigration enforcement was being applied broadly, arguing that citizens of EAC member states may be entitled to specific rights and protections under regional agreements.

The Kenyan government has reportedly instructed security and immigration authorities to halt deportation measures targeting nationals of EAC member states, adding another layer to the confusion surrounding the operation and raising questions about how the initial directive was implemented.

Fear in Eastleigh: The Question of Enforcement and Regional Rights

In Eastleigh, one of Nairobi’s largest Somali-populated neighborhoods, the impact was particularly noticeable. Some residents reportedly chose not to leave their homes, fearing encounters with security or immigration officers and uncertainty over how their individual status would be assessed.

For many, the concern was not simply whether they possessed the required documentation. It was the possibility of detention, questioning or deportation before their circumstances were properly examined. The episode has exposed the difficulties that can arise when a broad immigration directive is implemented without sufficiently distinguishing between different categories of foreign nationals.

Kenya has a legitimate interest in enforcing its immigration laws and addressing irregular migration. But enforcement must remain consistent with the country’s legal and regional obligations.

The operation highlights the importance of distinguishing between undocumented migrants, people whose permits have expired, asylum seekers, refugees and nationals of EAC member states who may benefit from regional mobility arrangements.

A blanket approach risks creating unnecessary fear among residents and could undermine confidence among foreign communities that contribute significantly to Kenya’s economy.

An Uneasy Day in Nairobi

The reported decision to halt deportation measures involving EAC nationals may ease some immediate concerns, but the operation has already unsettled communities across Nairobi.

Kenya has the right to enforce its immigration laws, but enforcement must be targeted, lawful and proportionate, with individuals assessed according to their actual immigration status and the protections applicable to them under Kenyan and regional law.

For Nairobi’s foreign communities, including its large Somali population, the events served as a stark reminder of how quickly a government immigration directive can affect ordinary lives.

The central issue is not whether Kenya should enforce its immigration laws—it is whether those laws are being applied accurately, consistently and within the legal framework governing the people they affect.

WardheerNews