Kenyan Woman Returns Home After 13 Years in South Africa, Recalls Traumatic Anti-Migrant Protests

Kenyan entrepreneur Ruth Wambui has returned to Kenya with her two children after living in South Africa for more than a decade, saying a series of personal hardships and growing hostility towards migrants led to her decision to leave.

Wambui travelled to South Africa in 2013, initially planning to stay for only a short period. She later established a beauty business, converting a rented room into a shared workspace where several stylists could work and earn an income. She said the arrangement helped people who could not afford to rent larger business premises.

Her business and personal life were severely disrupted when a fire destroyed her home, leaving her without her belongings and important documents. She was forced to rebuild while caring for her children and replacing essential items. One of her children escaped the incident after remaining at school shortly before the fire started, something Wambui considers fortunate.

She also described living through repeated anti-migrant protests, saying many foreign nationals faced intimidation and violence. According to Wambui, some migrants were attacked and killed, while others were forced from their homes by groups claiming they should not be living or working in the country.

Her account comes as demonstrations against undocumented immigration resumed in parts of South Africa in late June. Protesters said they were defending employment opportunities for South African citizens, while critics argued that the demonstrations targeted foreign nationals and fuelled xenophobic violence.

The complexity of the debate was reflected by one South African woman who took part in the protests despite being married to a Congolese national. Her participation illustrated the different views held within families and communities on immigration.

Wambui’s experience has resonated with many Kenyans, particularly those with relatives or friends still living in South Africa.