Ambassador Fred Gateretse Ngoga, who had worked at the African Union Commission for about 17 years, became involved in the controversy after commenting on the situation facing Burundian nationals in Kenya.
Ngoga used social media to question why Burundian traders appeared to be facing pressure during Kenya’s crackdown on foreign nationals operating businesses without the required documents.
His comments came at a time when Kenyan authorities were enforcing immigration and business rules targeting foreigners working or running small businesses without proper documentation.
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The diplomat questioned why Burundians were being singled out when nationals from other countries were also doing business in Kenya.
However, the circumstances surrounding Ngoga’s departure from the AU Commission later became a major point of disagreement.
While Ngoga initially announced that he had resigned from his position, the African Union Commission gave a different account.
The commission said he had not voluntarily resigned but had instead been dismissed for what it described as gross misconduct.
Ngoga later deleted the social media post in which he announced his resignation. He has not publicly provided a detailed explanation about whether he intended to resign or whether disciplinary action led to his departure.
The controversy came as hundreds of Burundian nationals sought help from their embassy in Nairobi following the Kenyan government’s enforcement operation.
Some Burundians and their families reportedly stayed at the embassy while seeking assistance with identification and travel documents.
Humanitarian organisations, including St John Ambulance and the Kenya Red Cross, provided food to some of those affected as they waited for help.
However, the circumstances surrounding Ngoga’s departure from the AU Commission later became a major point of disagreement.
While Ngoga initially announced that he had resigned from his position, the African Union Commission gave a different account.
The commission said he had not voluntarily resigned but had instead been dismissed for what it described as gross misconduct.
Ngoga later deleted the social media post in which he announced his resignation. He has not publicly provided a detailed explanation about whether he intended to resign or whether disciplinary action led to his departure.
The controversy came as hundreds of Burundian nationals sought help from their embassy in Nairobi following the Kenyan government’s enforcement operation.
Some Burundians and their families reportedly stayed at the embassy while seeking assistance with identification and travel documents.
Humanitarian organisations, including St John Ambulance and the Kenya Red Cross, provided food to some of those affected as they waited for help.
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The Kenyan government later apologised to Burundian nationals who experienced difficulties during the operation.
Authorities also clarified that there was no general ban on foreign traders. Instead, foreigners without the required papers were given a 90-day period to regularise their stay and businesses.
The grace period requires affected traders to address issues involving immigration status, work permits, business registration and relevant licences.
Ngoga later welcomed the government's decision to give foreign traders time to regularise their documents.
Authorities also clarified that there was no general ban on foreign traders. Instead, foreigners without the required papers were given a 90-day period to regularise their stay and businesses.
The grace period requires affected traders to address issues involving immigration status, work permits, business registration and relevant licences.
Ngoga later welcomed the government's decision to give foreign traders time to regularise their documents.
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