ITUC-Africa Warns Ruto Against Scapegoating Migrants

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) issued a warning to Kenyan President William Ruto regarding his recent remarks that targeted foreign nationals engaged in small-scale businesses in Kenya. Ruto's statements suggested that such activities should be reserved for Kenyans, leading to anxiety among migrant communities, particularly Burundians seeking to return home.

ITUC-Africa's General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, stated that blaming economic hardships on nationality could lead to discrimination and violence. The organization acknowledged Kenya's right to regulate employment and immigration but stressed that enforcement should be fair and evidence-based.

ITUC-Africa also expressed concern that such rhetoric could undermine Africa's continental integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to facilitate intra-African trade. The statement emphasized the need for governments to avoid criminalizing entire communities and to treat migrant workers fairly, warning that xenophobia and Afrophobia must not be tolerated.