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Kenya has given foreign nationals conducting small-scale businesses 90 days to regularise their immigration and business status.
The directive was disclosed in a statement signed by the State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on behalf of State House on Tuesday.
The move followed concerns raised by Kenyan traders over the growing participation of foreign nationals in small-scale businesses and informal trade.
President William Ruto said the government has a responsibility to protect economic opportunities for Kenyan citizens, particularly in the micro and small-enterprise sector.
He also affirmed the government’s duty to protect the rights and legitimate interests of foreign nationals lawfully living, working, investing or doing business in Kenya.
Ruto has directed that the Local Content Bill, 2025 (National Assembly Bill No. 45 of 2025), currently before Parliament, be expanded to regulate participation in small-scale trade and enterprise.
The proposed framework will identify economic activities that may be reserved for Kenyan citizens while protecting foreign nationals legally entitled to work, invest and operate businesses in the country.
The government said Kenya will remain open to lawful foreign investment and enterprise while protecting opportunities for its citizens.
It also reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the East African Community, regional integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The government said everyone conducting business in Kenya must comply with immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements.
Over the next 90 days, relevant government agencies will conduct a regularisation exercise in consultation with affected embassies.
The process will give foreign nationals an opportunity to regularise their immigration status and business operations in line with the law.
During the period, government agencies will provide guidance and enforce the requirements “fairly, consistently and without discrimination.”
At the end of the 90-day period, immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing rules will be enforced strictly in accordance with the law and due process.
The government also warned individuals and groups against harassing, intimidating, threatening or interfering with foreign nationals and their businesses.
“No individual or group has the authority to harass, intimidate, threaten or interfere with foreign nationals or their businesses,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said.
He added that “legitimate concerns about economic opportunity can never justify discrimination, excuse lawlessness or sanction violence.”
