A Burundian street vendor had his tea and mandazi scattered across a Nairobi pavement this week, an incident that surfaced days after Tanzania detained more than a hundred of his countrymen in a separate immigration sweep in Dar es Salaam.
The Nairobi incident occurred in the city’s central business district, where the trader had been selling snacks to earn a living. Footage circulating online showed food and packaging strewn across wooden walkways and cobblestones near his stall. The video drew wide condemnation on social media, with commentators likening the treatment to xenophobic incidents previously reported in South Africa.
Separately, Tanzanian authorities arrested 124 Burundian migrants during operations across several Dar es Salaam districts, including Ubungo, Kigamboni and Kariakoo, citing violations of immigration procedure. Officials indicated further enforcement checks would follow.
The two developments highlight mounting difficulties for Burundian migrants across East Africa, occurring despite the region’s Common Market Protocol, which guarantees citizens of partner states the right to reside, trade and work freely across borders.
Thousands of Burundians currently earn their livelihood selling tea and snacks in Kenyan towns, work that many locals decline to pursue.