Ruto gives foreign traders deadline to regularise their statuses - details

President William Ruto's administration has given foreign nationals conducting business in Kenya 90 days to regularise their immigration status and business operations, following the government's controversial crackdown on foreign participation in small-scale trade.

State House Spokesperson in a statement on Tuesday, September 8, said the move seeks to establish a structured process for foreigners to comply with immigration, work-permit, business registration and licensing requirements.

It also provides a new framework for understanding the government's position after last week's directive triggered uncertainty among foreign traders, particularly members of the Burundian community.

The government now says the exercise is not intended as a blanket exclusion of foreign nationals from Kenya.

According to State House, President Ruto received concerns from Kenyan traders over what they described as increasing participation of foreigners in small-scale businesses and informal trade.

The Head of State subsequently reaffirmed what State House described as the government's responsibility to protect economic opportunities for Kenyan citizens, particularly in the micro and small-enterprise sector.

At the same time, the government said it has a responsibility to protect foreigners who are "lawfully resident, employed, investing or conducting business in Kenya."

"Over the next 90 days, the Government will conduct an orderly regularisation exercise to facilitate compliance," State House said.

The process will involve relevant government agencies working with foreign embassies to give affected individuals an opportunity to regularise their immigration status and business operations.

Hussein in the statement says the exercise will cover the requirements governing a person's immigration status, work permit, business registration and licensing.

The State House Spokersperson added that the process will be coordinated with the embassies concerned and will provide affected persons with a "clear and structured opportunity" to regularise their status.

This comes after hundreds of Burundians sought documentation at their embassy in Nairobi amid uncertainty following the initial crackdown.

Government officials subsequently moved to reassure the community, with Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei apologising over reported harassment and promising protection.

The government has also warned against xenophobia, discrimination and taking enforcement into private hands.

The latest State House statement also introduces a potentially significant policy development.

Ruto has directed that the Local Content Bill, 2025 (National Assembly Bill No. 45 of 2025) be expanded to establish rules governing participation in small-scale trade and enterprise.

According to State House, the proposed framework will identify categories of economic activity that may be reserved for Kenyan citizens, while providing legal protection for foreigners who are legally entitled to work, invest or conduct business in the country.

Despite the new restrictions being considered for small-scale trade, State House said Kenya is not closing its economy to foreign participation.

"Kenya will protect economic opportunities for its citizens, especially within the micro and small-enterprise sector, while remaining open to lawful foreign investment, enterprise and employment," the statement adds.

The government also reiterated Kenya's commitment to the East African Community, saying it will continue to facilitate movement of people, labour, services and capital in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

It further linked the policy to Kenya's broader commitment to African integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area and other continental cooperation frameworks.

The announcement follows President Ruto's September 2 remarks to Kenyan traders, when he said foreign nationals should not compete with Kenyans in small-scale activities such as hawking and small retail.

The government subsequently clarified that foreigners with the necessary permits and licences remain protected under Kenyan law.

For the next 90 days, the State House maintained the focus will be on bringing affected businesses and individuals into compliance.

Foreign nationals conducting business in Kenya will be required to ensure that they meet the applicable immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements.