President William Ruto has ordered foreign nationals engaged in small-scale hawking and trading activities in Kenya to stop, saying the government will move to protect local traders from unfair competition.
Speaking after meeting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) traders at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, September 2, Ruto addressed concerns that some foreigners had established businesses selling items such as duvets and other merchandise, directly competing with Kenyan hawkers and small-scale traders.
The President said a Bill currently before Parliament seeks to restrict foreign nationals from engaging in certain trading activities in Kenya.
He urged traders and other stakeholders to engage with the proposed legislation before it is passed, saying this would help close loopholes that allow foreigners to engage in hawking and other small-scale businesses.
“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 kwa sababu hatujapitisha so that we seal all the loopholes so that mtu asitoke China kuja kuwa hawker,” Ruto stated.
Administrative Measures Against Foreign Hawkers
Ruto said the government would not wait for the proposed legislation to be enacted before taking action against foreign nationals operating as hawkers and small-scale traders.
He indicated that administrative measures would begin as early as next week.
“As we wait for the law to go on, administratively, from next week, Lee (Kinyanjui) akirudi kutoka Addis. Hawa wachuuzi ambao wanafanya biashara ndogo ndogo wafunge na wasipofunga…” Ruto stated.
The President maintained that Kenya’s efforts to attract foreign investors were intended to bring investment, create jobs and support economic growth, rather than allow foreigners to relocate to the country to engage in small-scale retail businesses.
“Hatujajenga investor confidence ndo hawkers wakuje Kenya. Ile tumejenga ni for investors, si traders and hawkers,” Ruto stated.
Ruto Directs Immigration PS to Clarify Investor Permits
Ruto also directed Kikuyu MP and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to engage the Immigration Principal Secretary and establish the conditions under which foreign investors and traders are issued permits to operate in Kenya.
“Kimani Ichung’wah, call the Immigration PS, I want to know the investor permit,” Ruto stated.
The directive comes amid growing concerns among Kenyan small-scale traders over competition from foreign nationals operating in the retail and informal sectors.
The proposed measures are expected to generate further debate as Parliament considers legislation seeking to regulate the types of businesses that foreign nationals can operate in Kenya.
