Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has clarified that Kenya is not implementing a blanket ban on foreign nationals engaging in small-scale businesses.
Mudavadi explained that President William Ruto’s recent directive aims to ensure that foreign small-scale traders operate in accordance with the East African Community Common Market Protocol and Kenyan laws.
During a diplomatic briefing with the diplomatic corps on Thursday, Mudavadi emphasized that the government’s approach is regulatory rather than discriminatory.
As the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s openness to both small and large-scale trade by foreign nationals who fulfill immigration, work-permit, business registration, and licensing requirements.
He encouraged citizens of East African Community (EAC) Partner States operating in Kenya to adhere to the laws governing their entry, stay, and service provision. He also noted that Kenyan citizens residing in other Partner States must similarly respect local laws and regulations.
“My appeal is for citizens of our Partner States to comply with the laws governing their rights of entry, stay, and service provision within Kenya,” Mudavadi urged.
He assured that the government will continue to balance regional integration with domestic regulations while protecting the rights of foreign nationals.
Mudavadi cautioned that anyone who threatens or disrupts foreign nationals or their businesses will face the full force of the law.
He reiterated Kenya’s commitment to regional integration and the African Union Agenda 2063, which includes facilitating the free movement of people, capital, goods, and services within the relevant legal frameworks.
This clarification follows President Ruto’s directive for the government to address the involvement of foreign nationals in small-scale businesses and informal retail.
The government has granted foreign traders a 90-day period to regularize their immigration status and business operations before strict enforcement of the law commences. This timeframe will enable affected foreign nationals to comply with all necessary immigration, work-permit, business registration, and licensing requirements.
