Russian Embassy in Nairobi Tells Citizens How to Vote on Sept 20 as Kenya Cracks Down on Foreign Traders

The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has issued a notice to Russian citizens living in or visiting Kenya ahead of Russia's parliamentary elections on September 20.

The embassy said Russians aged 18 and above who will be in Kenya on that day can vote at a polling station that will be opened at the embassy premises along Lenana Road. Voting will run from 8am to 8pm.

Voters have been asked to carry a valid Russian identification document. Those who need clarification have been directed to contact the District Electoral Commission.

The election will decide the 450 members of Russia's State Duma, the lower house of Parliament, for its ninth convocation. While voting in Kenya will be on September 20 only, voting in Russia will run for three days from September 18 to 20.

Russia has also approved remote electronic voting in some regions including Moscow.

The notice comes at a time when Kenya has intensified a crackdown on foreign nationals operating small businesses without valid work permits.

President William Ruto recently directed authorities to tighten enforcement of immigration and labour laws, saying small-scale businesses reserved for Kenyans should not be run by foreigners without permits.

The directive has caused concern among some foreign communities, with reports of Burundians gathering at their embassy in Nairobi to get travel documents as some prepare to leave.

The Russian embassy notice is strictly about the election and does not mention the crackdown, but it comes just as the enforcement is ongoing.