The Kenyan government has clarified that its measures concerning foreign traders are not intended as a blanket ban against nationals from neighboring countries, stressing that foreign nationals who are lawfully resident, employed, or conducting business in Kenya remain protected under the law.
The clarification follows remarks made by President William Ruto on September 2, 2026, concerning the participation of foreign nationals in small-scale businesses and informal trade. The remarks raised concern among some foreign communities, particularly citizens of other East African countries who operate small businesses in Kenya. The government has since explained that the policy is aimed at enforcing existing immigration, work-permit, business-registration and licensing requirements.
Under the government’s latest announcement, foreign nationals operating businesses in Kenya have been given a 90-day period to regularise their immigration status, work permits, business registration and relevant licences. State House said the process would be carried out in an orderly manner and in consultation with the embassies of affected countries.
The issue has attracted significant attention among East African communities in Kenya. Hundreds of Burundian nationals gathered at their embassy in Nairobi seeking travel documents amid fears over the government’s initial directive. Kenya has since stressed that it has zero tolerance for xenophobia, harassment, intimidation or violence against foreign nationals.
The government’s clarification has also emphasized that protecting economic opportunities for Kenyan citizens and allowing lawful foreign investment and enterprise are not necessarily contradictory objectives. Authorities say Kenya will continue to welcome lawful investment while enforcing regulations governing participation in smaller-scale businesses.
The debate has also drawn attention from Hon. Sadia Mohamed Jama “Miss Uunsi”, who has spoken about the importance of protecting members of Kenya’s business community who come from countries united under the East African Community. Her position emphasizes the need to ensure that measures affecting foreign traders are implemented in accordance with Kenyan law and regional commitments.
Hon. Sadia Mohamed Jama “Miss Uunsi” said:
“It is regrettable that members of the business community in Kenya are being discriminated against simply because they come from countries that are united under the East African Community. This could create concern and cause disruption to the country’s economy. The laws and treaty of the East African Community must be respected and protected.”
Her position comes as the issue develops into a broader discussion about the relationship between Kenya’s domestic economic priorities and the principles of East African regional integration. The movement of people, goods, services and capital across the region has created extensive economic and social links between Kenya and its neighbors.
The debate has also raised concerns about the need for enforcement to remain consistent with the rule of law and regional obligations. Kenya’s Law Society and the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists have called for a review of the directive, arguing that while the government has authority to regulate trade and immigration, enforcement should respect constitutional protections, human dignity and Kenya’s regional and international obligations.
For Hon. Sadia Mohamed Jama “Miss Uunsi”, the issue therefore extends beyond the question of small businesses. It touches on the wider principles of regional cooperation, economic integration and the responsibility of governments to protect both their citizens and people from neighboring countries who are lawfully living and working within their borders.
As Kenya moves forward with the 90-day regularisation process, attention will remain focused on how the policy is implemented and whether it succeeds in balancing opportunities for Kenyan citizens with the rights of legally documented foreign nationals and the wider commitments of East African integration.
