Kenya has rejected claims that it imposed a blanket ban on foreigners operating small-scale businesses in the country, saying foreign nationals remain free to engage in commercial activities as long as they comply with existing laws.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, made the clarification on Friday amid growing concerns over the treatment of foreign traders following a directive issued by President William Ruto on September 2 restricting foreign participation in certain small-scale businesses.
The directive had triggered concerns among foreign nationals, particularly Burundian traders and other migrants from East and Central Africa involved in petty trading, retail, hospitality, construction and agriculture.
Mudavadi said the government was not seeking to drive foreign traders out of the country, but wanted those operating businesses in Kenya to regularise their immigration status, register their businesses and meet their tax obligations.
“Kenya is not implementing a blanket ban on foreign nationals engaging in small-scale businesses but is seeking to ensure that their participation is consistent with the East African Community Common Market Protocol and applicable national law,” he said.
According to Mudavadi, the policy is aimed at protecting vulnerable sectors of Kenya’s economy, ensuring fair competition and safeguarding the livelihoods of Kenyan citizens.
He stressed that Kenya remained committed to regional integration and would continue to support the movement of people, capital, goods and services in line with relevant national and regional legal frameworks.
Mudavadi also used the engagement to brief foreign diplomats on Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, the country’s economic performance and its response to emerging challenges, including health threats and seasonal El Niño rains.
Principal Secretary at the State Department for Foreign Affairs, Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, said Kenya had a long-standing history of providing refuge to people escaping conflict, economic difficulties and climate-related crises across the region.
Sing’Oei reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the lives, property and livelihoods of citizens of East African Community member states residing in Kenya.
The clarification is expected to ease concerns among foreign traders who feared that the government’s recent restrictions could lead to a wider crackdown on small-scale businesses operated by non-Kenyans.
Source: Xinhua/NAN
