President William Ruto has warned Kenyans against turning the government’s crackdown on undocumented foreign traders into attacks on foreigners, saying Kenya will continue to welcome those who respect its laws.
Ruto said the government’s requirement for foreigners engaged in business and employment to regularise their status should not be seen as a restriction on legitimate investment or a ban on foreign nationals working in the country.
Speaking on Saturday, September 12, the President said Kenya remains open to investors, workers and visitors from different countries, including members of the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
“Kenya is very open for business. I know there has been a lot of debate about who should work in Kenya or should invest in Kenya. Let me say this for the record. All investors have a space in Kenya,” he said.
Ruto said the government would ensure that foreigners are treated fairly while also requiring them to meet the conditions set for those seeking to work, invest or operate businesses in the country.
“Every person from wherever they come from will be treated fairly in accordance with the law and made to comply with the regulations governing employment in Kenya, investment in Kenya or visit Kenya,” Ruto stated.
The President spoke in Bomet as he reiterated his call for foreigners operating businesses or working in Kenya without the required documents to put their affairs in order.
He said those affected must secure the necessary immigration papers, work permits, business registrations and local licences within the 90-day period given by the government.
At the same time, Ruto cautioned Kenyans against using the directive as a reason to target foreign nationals, insisting that any complaints or disputes must be handled within the law.
“No citizen has a right to take the law into their hands and harm other people from other areas. We will continue to be an open society because that is the DNA of Kenya,” Ruto warned.
His statement follows a directive issued days earlier giving foreigners involved in small-scale businesses 90 days to regularise their stay and business operations.
The announcement created uncertainty among some foreign traders, with some worried that they could lose their businesses if they did not immediately meet the government’s requirements.
The deadline has since seen some foreign nationals seek assistance from their respective missions in Nairobi as they work to obtain or update the documents required to continue operating legally.
Long queues were reported at some foreign missions as traders moved to regularise their status following the government’s announcement.
The directive has also come amid reports of harassment and attacks against some foreign traders, with Burundian nationals among those affected.
Some traders have reportedly lost their businesses and sources of income, while others have faced threats as well as eviction from their business premises and homes.
Ruto's latest remarks signal that while the government will continue enforcing immigration, employment and business rules, it will not tolerate the harassment of foreigners as the 90-day compliance period runs.