Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has dismissed a report by French publication
Le Monde
suggesting Kenya was moving to shut down businesses operated by foreign nationals, saying President William Ruto’s remarks had been taken out of context.
In a statement on his X account on Sunday, Sing’Oei said Ruto was responding to the ongoing debate on the Local Content Bill, 2025, which is currently before Parliament and seeks to increase the participation of Kenyan businesses and workers in the economy.
“Le Monde got it wrong. President’s statement has been taken out of context, as he was responding to ongoing debate on the Local Content Bill presently before Parliament,” Sing’Oei said.
His remarks followed a report by
Le Monde
that portrayed Ruto’s September 2 comments at State House as a directive to close small businesses run by foreigners.
Ruto had told a meeting of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) traders that the government would act against foreign nationals engaged in small-scale businesses that could be undertaken by Kenyans.
Sing’Oei sought to clarify that the government’s position does not amount to a blanket ban on foreign nationals operating businesses or working in Kenya.
“As such, we assure that small or large traders & employees of all nationalities, with requisite documentation- work permits & licenses- are legally protected to operate in Kenya,” he said.
The clarification comes as Parliament considers the Local Content Bill, which proposes that foreign companies source at least 60% of specified goods and services locally where they meet the required standards.
The Bill also proposes that at least 80% of the workforce of a foreign company should be Kenyan citizens. Parliament has described the proposed legislation as an effort to ensure foreign investment creates jobs and supports local businesses.
Kenya already requires foreign nationals engaged in employment, trade or business to obtain the relevant permits, licences or other legal authorisation.
Sing’Oei specifically addressed concerns surrounding nationals from Burundi and other East African countries, saying they would not be barred from living and working in Kenya if they comply with the law.
“Burundian nationals and all East Africans- and Africans for that matter- are free to live in Kenya as long as they conduct their businesses or work according to the requirements of our law,” he said.
The clarification comes amid concerns among Kenyan traders over competition from foreign nationals in small-scale businesses and recent tensions involving foreign traders in Nairobi.
Sing’Oei’s statement seeks to draw a distinction between enforcing Kenya’s existing laws and excluding people from the country solely because they are foreign nationals.