Ruto orders 90-day regularisation of foreign traders in Kenya
President William Ruto has directed the government to undertake a 90-day regularisation exercise for foreign nationals conducting business in Kenya.
President William Ruto has directed the government to undertake a 90-day regularisation exercise for foreign nationals conducting business in Kenya.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 8, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed the directive follows an engagement between the President and Kenyan traders, during which traders raised concerns about the impact of foreign participation in informal businesses on Kenyans.
Mohamed said the President had reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting economic opportunities for Kenyans while also safeguarding the rights of foreign nationals who are lawfully residing and conducting business in the country.
“The President reaffirmed the Government’s responsibility to protect and expand economic opportunities for Kenyan citizens, particularly within the micro and small-enterprise sector that sustains millions of households.
“He equally affirmed the Government’s duty to safeguard the rights and legitimate interests of foreign nationals who are lawfully resident, employed, investing or conducting business in Kenya,” the statement read.
Mohamed said Ruto had also directed that the Local Content Bill, 2025, currently before Parliament, be expanded to create a framework governing participation in small-scale trade and enterprise.
“Accordingly, the President directed that the Local Content Bill, 2025 (National Assembly Bill No. 45 of 2025), currently before Parliament, be expanded to establish a clear, fair and predictable framework governing participation in small-scale trade and enterprise.
“This framework will identify categories of economic activity that may be reserved for Kenyan citizens, while providing legal certainty and appropriate protection for foreign nationals lawfully entitled to work, invest and conduct business in Kenya,” the statement added.
Mohamed said the policy would seek to protect opportunities for Kenyan citizens while maintaining Kenya’s openness to lawful foreign investment, enterprise and employment.
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“Kenya will protect economic opportunities for its citizens, especially within the micro and small-enterprise sector, while remaining open to lawful foreign investment, enterprise and employment. These objectives are complementary and will be pursued consistently with the Constitution, the law and Kenya’s international obligations,” the statement further read.
Mohamed further said the government would continue supporting regional integration within the East African Community and broader African integration, including through the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Kenya’s commitment to the East African Community, regional integration and the greater unity of the African continent remains firm. We will continue to facilitate the movement of people, labour, services and capital in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks, while advancing continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area and other instruments of African cooperation,” the statement noted.
In the interim, all foreign nationals conducting business in Kenya will be required to ensure that they comply with immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements.
The government will use the 90-day period to facilitate those who need to regularise their status and business operations.
Mohamed said the relevant agencies would provide guidance and ensure that the regularisation process is implemented fairly and without discrimination before enforcement measures are tightened after the 90-day period.
The government also warned against individuals or groups taking the law into their own hands by harassing or threatening foreign nationals and their businesses.
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