Ruto Orders Crackdown on Foreigners Operating Small Shops and Hawking Businesses From Next Week
Ruto orders crackdown on foreign Businesses from Monday
President William Ruto has ordered foreign nationals operating small shops and hawking businesses to close, saying small-scale trade should be reserved for Kenyans. Government later clarified directive targets undocumented traders.
Speaking on September 2 while meeting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) traders at State House, Nairobi, the President said Kenya had not built investor confidence for hawkers to come and compete with Kenyans for low-capital businesses.
"From next week, all traders doing those small businesses should close them. Hatujajenga investor confidence ndo hawkers wakuje Kenya. Ile tumejenga ni for investors, si traders and hawkers," Ruto said.
He noted that a Bill is currently before Parliament. He asked National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui to fast-track the Bill to seal loopholes."We have a Bill in Parliament that there are some trading activities that foreigners can't do in Kenya.
By law, nataka mketi chini na wafanyibiashara waangalie... so that mtu asitoke China kuja kuwa hawker," he added.
Following anxiety among migrant communities, especially Burundians in Nairobi, the government clarified that the directive is not a blanket ban. Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'oei said Ruto's remarks were taken out of context, noting that Kenya remains open to traders of all nationalities with valid work permits and licenses.
Government Spokesperson Charles Owino also announced a Documentation and Registration Window for undocumented East African Community citizens, saying those undergoing registration will be presumed legally present.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) warned that enforcement must be lawful and non-discriminatory, saying it had received petitions over threats and intimidation linked to the crackdown.
Ruto said the enforcement will be administrative as Parliament considers the law. Authorities are expected to begin operations from Monday, targeting foreigners without documentation operating kiosks, duvet shops, phone accessories, and other small retail businesses.
