A Kenyan musician named Octopizzo has asked the government and people to make sure that Burundian people living and working in Kenya are treated fairly and with kindness during a government action against traders in the informal sector.
The musician, whose real name is Henry Ohanga made this request on media as tensions grew between Kenyan traders and foreign people who run small businesses.
Octopizzo asked for living together and for people to respect each others dignity. He said that if someone does something it should be handled by the law not by targeting people because of where they are from.
“If someone does a crime let the law do its job, check, arrest and punish them according to the law no matter where they are from ” he wrote.
His words come after the government took steps to stop some work like selling food on the street only allowing Kenyan people to do it. This rule has worried traders and many have asked their countries for help.
This situation has also caused problems between Kenya and Burundi. Burundi has called Kenyas ambassador. Wants an emergency meeting of East African countries.
Some Kenyans have said they are worried about permits, taxes and competition, for jobs. Octopizzo said that even if there are problems it should not be a reason to treat foreign people badly.
