Kenya President Orders Crackdown On Foreign Traders

Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreigners operating small-scale businesses in the country, saying the government must protect local traders and hawkers from unfair competition.

Ruto gave the directive during a meeting with small-scale traders at State House in Nairobi, where he said foreign traders would only be welcome if their investments created jobs and expanded economic opportunities for Kenyans.

“From next week, all foreign traders doing those small businesses should close them,” Ruto said.

He added that his administration would fast-track legislation to restrict foreigners from operating in certain areas of small-scale trade.

The Kenyan president specifically mentioned Chinese nationals operating small businesses, arguing that foreign investors should concentrate on ventures that create employment and increase production rather than compete with Kenyans in the informal economy.

“It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop,” he said.

Ruto’s directive comes amid growing concerns over the increasing presence of foreign nationals in Kenya’s informal economy.

Foreign workers and traders are involved in various sectors, including barber shops and salons, construction, motorcycle taxi services and street vending. Others are engaged in the sale of clothes, food and household goods.

The development has also drawn attention to Kenya’s large refugee population. Government figures showed that about 857,000 refugees and asylum seekers were registered in the country as of the end of June, with nearly 14 per cent living in urban areas.

Under Kenyan law, refugees are permitted to work and operate businesses provided they obtain the required documentation and special permits.

However, the growing presence of foreign traders has occasionally triggered tensions with local workers and business owners, who accuse migrants of competing with Kenyans for jobs and commercial opportunities.

In July, a video showing a Kenyan man confronting a Burundian trader in Nairobi and accusing him of taking business opportunities from locals sparked widespread criticism.

The incident prompted calls for the protection of Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya, with the Kenyan Foreign Ministry subsequently moving to reassure Burundians and other East African nationals residing in the country.

Ruto, who is expected to seek a second term in next year’s presidential election, has maintained that Kenya remains open to foreign investment.

However, he has repeatedly stressed that foreign investments should contribute to job creation, increased production and economic opportunities for Kenyans.