From mandazi to music: How Burundians have made a home in Kenya
By Valerian Khakayi, September 8, 2026The crackdown on foreign-owned small businesses has put Burundians living and working in Kenya in the spotlight, with hundreds seeking travel documents at their Nairobi embassy amid uncertainty over their future.
But beyond the current headlines, Burundians have been part of Kenyan life for years, from street food and small businesses to music.
Here is how they have made their mark in Kenya.
- From mandazi and coffee to small businesses
Across Kenya’s streets, some Burundians have become familiar faces, hawking tea, kahawa and maandazi to customers looking for a quick and affordable bite.
Their roadside businesses have become part of the informal economy, particularly in Nairobi, where Burundian vendors have been spotted selling coffee and mandazi.
For some, the simple hustle has provided a way to earn a living while adapting to life in Kenya.
Beyond selling food and drinks, Burundians have also ventured into other small businesses, building livelihoods and serving communities in different parts of the country.
- From Burundi to the Kenyan music scene
One of the most recognisable Burundian faces in Kenya is musician Jean-Pierre Nimbona, popularly known as Kidum.
Kidum arrived in Kenya in 1995 after fleeing political instability in Burundi. What began as a search for safety eventually developed into a decades-long music career.
He went on to establish himself in Kenya’s music scene, performing largely in Kiswahili and building a following across Kenya and the wider East African region.
His journey is perhaps one of the clearest examples of how a Burundian can arrive in Kenya and eventually become a familiar part of the country’s cultural landscape.
Kidum’s connection to Kenya has remained strong over the years. Amid the current uncertainty, he has described Kenya as his home and offered to help Burundians who may want to return to Burundi.
- Learning and adapting
For many others, becoming part of Kenyan life has happened through ordinary daily interactions.
Some have had to learn Kiswahili, adapt to local business practices and understand the needs of their customers. For those running small businesses, interacting with Kenyans every day has also helped create connections beyond trade.
These experiences have allowed some Burundians to gradually find their place in communities far from home.
- More than traders
The current crackdown has largely placed Burundians in the spotlight as foreign traders, but their presence in Kenya stretches far beyond small businesses.
Kenya is home to about 16,000 Burundian refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have been involved in small-scale businesses.
Their stories include entrepreneurs, musicians, workers and families who have spent years building lives in the country.
For some, Kenya has offered economic opportunities. For others, it has provided safety, friendships and a place to build a future.
And while the current crackdown has created uncertainty, the story of Burundians in Kenya is much bigger than the headlines; it is also a story of food, music, business, adaptation and the everyday connections that have grown between two neighbouring East African countries.