Kenya will not shut its doors to foreign traders, but those seeking to do business in the country must first meet the legal requirements governing their stay and operations, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.
Mudavadi Speaking on Thursday said foreigners remain free to engage in both small and large-scale trade provided they have the necessary immigration documents, work permits, business registration and licences.
He said the government’s position follows President William Ruto’s September 2, 2026 directives on small-scale trade and informal retail, which he said should not be interpreted as an order barring foreigners from running small businesses.
Instead, Mudavadi said the measures are intended to protect Kenyans working in vulnerable parts of the economy and ensure businesses compete fairly.
“The directives announced by our president on September 2, 2026, regarding small-scale trade and informal retail should be understood as measures aimed at protecting vulnerable sectors of our economy, promoting fair competition and securing sustainable livelihoods of Kenyan citizens,” Mudavadi said.
He said foreign nationals operating businesses in Kenya must also respect the East African Community Common Market Protocol alongside the country’s laws.
“Kenya is not implementing a blanket ban on foreign nationals engaging in small-scale business but is seeking to ensure that their participation is consistent with the East African Community Common Market Protocol and applicable national law.”
Mudavadi also called on citizens from other East African countries living and working in Kenya to follow the rules covering entry, residence and the provision of services.
He said Kenya expected the same treatment for its citizens working and running businesses in other member states, noting that Kenyans should also respect the laws of the countries where they live.
“This is a global practice. Equally, Kenyan citizens in our partner states are also called upon to comply with similar laws and regulations in the territories of their current residents. Kenya is open to small and large-scale trade by foreign nationalities as long as they are compliant with immigration, work permit, registration and licensing requirements,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said the government was trying to uphold Kenya’s domestic regulations while also meeting its obligations on regional integration.
He further assured foreigners who are legally conducting business in Kenya that the government would protect them from harassment or interference.
“Therefore, anyone who threatens or interferes with foreign nationals or their businesses will face immediate and the full force of the law. Kenya’s approach is therefore more regulatory rather than discriminatory,” he said.
Mudavadi said Kenya remained committed to working with regional and continental bodies, including the African Union, East African Community and Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
He said the country would continue to support the movement of people, capital, goods and services, as long as such movement takes place within the law.
“We continue to advance regional integration and continental unity by facilitating the free movement of people, capital, goods and services in accordance with applicable legal frameworks,” he said.
He added that Kenya’s commitment to the African Union Agenda 2063 and Pan-Africanism remained firm.
Mudavadi said the country would continue promoting cooperation within the East African Community while upholding fraternity, dignity and mutual respect among member states.