Kenya has given foreign workers and small-scale business operators 90 days to regularise their immigration and business status following concerns over new restrictions on immigrant-owned businesses.
The move follows an announcement by President William Ruto that raised concerns among foreign traders, particularly Burundians earning a living through street vending in Nairobi.
Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, said the government was not imposing a blanket ban on foreign nationals engaging in small-scale businesses.
Mudavadi said the policy was aimed at ensuring that foreign nationals operating businesses in the country comply with the East African Community Common Market Protocol and applicable national 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,” he said.
He added that Kenya remained open to both small- and large-scale trade by foreign nationals who comply with immigration, work permit, registration and licensing requirements.
“Kenya’s approach is therefore more regulatory rather than discriminatory,” Mudavadi said.
The initial announcement sparked concern among foreign nationals and raised fears of possible xenophobic attacks similar to those recently witnessed in South Africa.
Hundreds of Burundians reportedly visited their embassy in Nairobi earlier in the week, with some seeking assistance to return home.
Following the concerns, Kenya’s junior foreign minister apologised, while the President’s Office said the government would conduct an orderly regularisation exercise over the next 90 days.
The exercise is expected to give affected migrants an opportunity to obtain the required documentation and bring their activities into compliance with Kenyan laws.
