Kenya risks weakening East African unity if efforts to protect local businesses turn into hostility towards citizens from poorer neighbouring countries, lawyer and free speech advocate Levi Munyeri has warned.
Munyeri said economic differences across the region should be a reason for cooperation and support, rather than a basis for shutting out people from countries with weaker economies.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Generation on Tuesday, he questioned the direction of Kenya’s latest measures targeting foreigners engaged in hawking and small-scale retail.
The debate follows President William Ruto’s directive last week for authorities to take action against foreigners involved in hawking and small-scale retail, with the government saying the move is meant to protect Kenyan traders from unfair competition.
The directive came into effect on September 7, leaving many foreign traders uncertain about their businesses, particularly Burundians living and working in Kenya.
The enforcement has since brought into focus the balance between protecting local jobs and businesses and Kenya’s obligations under the East African Community integration process.
Munyeri said Kenya should not view citizens of neighbouring countries as a threat because their countries have weaker economies.
“For the last more than 10 years, actually, Burundi has been competing with Sudan for the position, the green position of the poorest nation in the world. So within our borders or our region, that's one of Africa. We have two of the poorest nations in the world, and the third one appears to be the Central African Republic, which is also within our region. So these are brothers.”
World Bank data cited in the statement shows the wide economic gap across the region. Burundi's GDP per capita stood at about $233.8 in 2025, compared with $556.1 in the Central African Republic and $470 in South Sudan, making Burundi the poorest of the three on nominal GDP per capita.
Burundi also ranks as the poorest country in the EAC by the same measure. Uganda recorded about $1,206 in GDP per capita in 2025, while Tanzania stood at about $1,319. Kenya's figure was about $2,363.
Despite the gap, Munyeri said Kenya's stronger economy should not lead to a hostile approach towards citizens from poorer neighbouring states.
“These are our brothers and neighbours. Kenya, Uganda and the other East African countries were shaped by colonial boundaries, yet we share a common history and were once part of the same wider community. Why, then, should we treat our fellow Africans with hostility simply because they are poorer, weaker or more vulnerable? To me, that goes against the very soul of who we are as a nation.”
He also pointed to the East African Community passport as a sign of the region's efforts to build a shared identity among member states.
“This passport is actually an East African Community passport for the Republic of Kenya, with the East African Community clearly displayed. A Burundian carries the same passport, as do Tanzanians and Ugandans. Every day, when we sing our national anthem in public, we also sing the East African anthem. We are one people, and we are declaring that unity.”
Munyeri further referred to the EAC Common Market Protocol, which provides for the movement of people and workers across member states, alongside rights of establishment and residence.
“The understanding, of course, is that every country must then apply those protocols and ensure that they rhyme and there's rhythm between them and the rules and regulations of that country. But they exist. So, are we now rolling back time? We have been working towards the common market. We've actually gotten there. We even have common tariffs. We've been talking about integration. We're working towards there. And we are working towards our common currency. Federation.”
The government, however, has maintained that the crackdown is focused on foreigners who are undocumented or lack the required authorisation to conduct business in Kenya.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei said foreign traders and workers who hold the necessary work permits and licences remain legally allowed to operate in the country.
The clarification came after reports of growing concern among Burundians in Nairobi, with hundreds seeking help from their embassy as the enforcement measures began.
Munyeri said the issue should therefore not be viewed only through the lens of permits or small businesses, arguing that Kenya's actions towards citizens of neighbouring states must also be considered against its wider commitment to East African integration.
His concerns come as major differences in wealth remain across EAC member states, with Burundi's per-capita output less than a tenth of Kenya's.
The gap helps explain why people move across the region in search of economic opportunities, while also presenting a challenge for the EAC as member states pursue closer economic and political ties.