Kenya's trade ministry has issued a stern reminder to foreign nationals that visa-free entry does not come with a license to hustle, as the government prepares to shut down unlicensed small businesses run by migrants. President William Ruto set today as the deadline for foreigners in small-scale trade to cease operations, prompting a rush at Burundi's embassy in Kenya for emergency travel documents.

The trade ministry lamented a "deliberate misuse of visa applications by some visitors," noting that some entered as investors or tourists but decided to dabble in business without the proper paperwork. Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui declared, "Owing to the high number of foreigners involved in the retail and local trade sectors, there is therefore a need to align their activities and ensure compliance with work permit provisions." In other words, the party is over, and the paperwork begins.

President Ruto, who last week insisted Kenya welcomes foreign investment, drew a line at foreigners hawking goods or opening small shops. "It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop," he said, arguing that investors should create jobs and expand production rather than compete with Kenyans in small businesses. Critics called the move populist and warned of xenophobia; officials deny the charge, but the optics are not great.

Across the border, Burundi's Foreign Affairs Minister Edouard Bizimana took to X to warn that "Kenyans in Burundi were living peacefully but if the hate speech against Burundi continues things will certainly change." He added, "Kenya government is responsible for the lives of Burundians living in Kenya," after an urgent meeting with representatives of the East African Community (EAC), an eight-member bloc. Both Kenya and Burundi are members, and Kenyan representatives attended the meeting, presumably to hear Bizimana's concerns before the rhetoric escalated.

Kenya's Permanent Secretary Korir Sing'oei tried to calm nerves, saying foreigners with proper documentation - "work permits and licences" - could continue their activities. But the clarification did little to reassure traders like Alexis Ntinanirwa, head of the Association of Burundians living in Kenya, who told the BBC Great Lakes service he was unhappy with Ruto's decision but urged patience. He warned of wider regional fallout, noting that Kenyans also engage in small-scale businesses in other East African countries. "This issue is not only going to cause problems for Burundians working in Kenya, but it is also going to cause problems in the region because there are also Kenyans doing these small jobs in our countries in Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda." Ntinanirwa advised Burundians to avoid confrontation with police, which seems like sound advice when the government is cracking down.

As the deadline passes, the situation remains fluid, with hundreds at Burundi's embassy seeking a way out. The number of affected foreign traders is unclear, but the tension is palpable. One can only hope that Kenya's stance doesn't lead to a regional game of 'you deport ours, we'll deport yours'.