The government has moved to clarify President William Ruto’s recent remarks on foreign traders, saying Kenya is not shutting its doors to foreigners running businesses. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei says the President’s comments were taken out of context and that legally documented foreign traders remain protected under Kenyan law.
Highlights
- Foreign traders with valid permits and licences can legally operate in Kenya.
- PS Korir Sing’oei says Ruto’s remarks were misinterpreted.
- East Africans and other African nationals can live and work in Kenya if they follow the law.
- A proposed Bill seeks to reserve certain small-scale trading activities for Kenyans.
- The government says attracting foreign investors is different from encouraging small-scale retail migration.
Main Story
Gov’t Clarifies Ruto’s Remarks
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has dismissed reports suggesting that President William Ruto has ordered a blanket crackdown on foreigners operating small businesses in Kenya.
Sing’oei said comments attributed to Ruto in a report by French publication Le Monde did not accurately capture the President’s position.
According to the PS, Kenya remains open to foreign nationals who wish to trade or work in the country, provided they have the necessary legal documentation and approvals.
He noted that foreign employees and traders with valid work permits, business licences and other required documents are protected by Kenyan law.
East Africans Allowed to Work and Trade
Sing’oei also sought to reassure citizens from neighbouring countries that Kenya remains open to them.
He said Burundians, other East Africans and Africans from across the continent can live and work in Kenya as long as they comply with the country’s laws and meet the requirements for operating businesses or taking up employment.
The clarification comes after Ruto raised concerns about foreigners competing with Kenyan hawkers and small-scale traders.
What Ruto Said
On September 2, Ruto met representatives of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at State House, where he addressed complaints from local traders.
The President said there was a Bill before Parliament intended to identify trading activities that should not be undertaken by foreign nationals.
He cited concerns over foreigners coming into Kenya to engage in hawking and other forms of small-scale retail, arguing that the country’s efforts to improve the investment environment were primarily aimed at attracting investors rather than foreign hawkers.
Ruto’s remarks sparked debate over whether the government intended to introduce broader restrictions on foreign-owned small businesses.
Foreign Investment vs Small-Scale Trade
The government’s latest clarification draws a distinction between foreign investment and small-scale retail activities.
While Kenya continues to court international investors, the proposed legislation could place limits on specific categories of trade to protect local entrepreneurs and small-scale businesses.
For foreign nationals already operating in Kenya, however, Sing’oei’s message was clear: having the required permits and licences remains key to legally doing business in the country.
As Kenya weighs how best to protect local traders while remaining open to international business, the bigger question is where the line between investment and small-scale trade should be drawn.
