"We Are Not South Africa": Kenyan Warns Citizens Against Attacking Foreigners
- A Kenyan police officer publicly warned citizens not to assault foreign nationals running small businesses in Kenya
- The warning came after President William Ruto ordered foreign hawkers and small shop owners to stop trading by Monday, 7 September
- Hundreds of Burundians rushed to their embassy fearing Kenya could see the kind of xenophobic violence that has rocked South Africa
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Source: Getty Images
KENYA - A Kenyan man has gone on record urging his fellow citizens not to physically attack foreign nationals operating small businesses in the country.
In a video circulating on social media, he pointed to South Africa as an example Kenya should not follow.
"We are not South Africa"
The clip was shared on X by Africa Facts Zone and quickly spread online. In it, the man, assumed to be a police officer appealed directly to the public, saying:
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"Why should we hit foreigners? We are not South Africa. We are Kenyans, we respect our country and our country is respected internationally."
Kenyan president ordered the crackdown on foreigners
His words came at a tense moment. According to the BBC, President William Ruto had recently declared that hawking and petty retail should be reserved primarily for Kenyan citizens, framing the move as a necessary step to protect the local economy. Ruto argued that the country's economic development strategy should prioritise foreign investors who bring capital, create jobs and support local production rather than those competing in the informal sector.
The government announced that enforcement would begin on Monday, 7 September, and followed through. Hundreds of Burundian nationals descended on their embassy that same day, seeking help to return home, fearful that Kenya could descend into the kind of anti-immigrant violence South Africa has seen in recent months.
Kenya government walks back crackdown
Within days, the government softened its position, clarifying that the crackdown was aimed at those operating businesses illegally, not a broad sweep against all foreign nationals. The reversal came amid mounting concern about the tone of the enforcement operation.
South Africans reacted to the video
South Africans online were watching closely, and many were not particularly moved by comparisons being drawn to their country.
@Sourstrawbweey wrote:
"You know it's bad for you when other countries use you as a bad example."
@zanele587302 responded:
"We know the rest of Africa is against us. We stand on business. Insults from other Africans has never stopped South Africans."
@VuyaniSea asked: "South Africans must just keep quite and pretend illegal immigration is not an issue?"
@GtsWalekhosi said:
"So this guy is blaming South Africans for Kenyans' actions?🤔🙄"
@ChosenOne_2026 commented:
"😅😅😅 They won't be relevant if they don't mention SA."
@dladla_miss added:
"They can never do anything without mentioning us. Bunch of fans obsessed with us."
Kenyan youth remove foreign nationals
Briefly News also reported that Kenyan youth were filmed removing foreign nationals in the city of Nakuru. This was after Kenyan president announced a crackdown on foreign-owned businesses. Shortly after the youngsters took to the streets, Burundi nationals flocked to the Burundi Embassy in Nairobi, as well as cyber cafes, to process travel documents. Reports also surfaced that Congolese nationals were applying for border passes to leave the country in the wake of the President's directive being enforced.
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Source: Briefly News
