The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested a man over alleged inciteful remarks against Burundi nationals living in Kenya amid controversy surrounding foreigners living and doing small-scale businesses in the country. In a statement on Tuesday, September 8, DCI said the suspect's remarks could incite ethnic hatred, hostility, and violence against the Burundians in the country, fueling fear of possible harassment by Kenyans."Detectives drawn from DCI Buruburu have arrested a 32-year-old man over remarks intended to incite ethnic hatred, hostility and violence against Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya," DCI stated.According to DCI, the suspect was arrested following remarks he made at Jacaranda Grounds in Kayole during a Bunge la Mwananchi event. "The remarks were captured on video and subsequently circulated widely on social media, prompting investigations by DCI detectives," it added.Investigations established that the utterances were directed at Burundian nationals residing in Kenya and engaged in various economic activities, including employment.DCI further added that they are currently examining the intent and circumstances that could have led to the utterances, with the Bunge La Mwananchi member expected to be arraigned in court.If found guilty, the suspect could face charges of hate speech under Section 13(1)(a), read together with Section 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, as well as any other charges arising from the ongoing investigations.The development followed a government warning against harassing any foreign national, stating that anyone found to have committed the offence will be charged."No individual or group has the authority to harass, intimidate, threaten or interfere with foreign nationals or their businesses," State House said in a statement on Tuesday, warning that those who engage in such conduct will face action under the law.On Monday, the Government began a crackdown on unlawful foreigners operating businesses in the country following President William Ruto's orders on September 2.Fear gripped the foreigners running small businesses, especially Burundian hawkers, who flocked to their embassy offices in Nairobi for fear of harassment by Kenyans. Others were also captured at bus stations, fleeing to Bujumbura.Following the rising tensions, President William Ruto on Tuesday announced a 90-day window for foreign traders to regularise their immigration, work permits, business registration, and licensing status before the Government begins enforcing the requirements more strictly."Every person conducting business in Kenya is required to comply with applicable immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements. Over the next 90 days, the Government will conduct an orderly regularisation exercise to facilitate compliance," read a statement from State House on September 8.However, the letter explicitly warned that the exercise will be coordinated by relevant government agencies in consultation with the embassies of affected countries, vowing to take action against anyone found harassing or intimidating any foreigner.
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