Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi/FILE.Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has assured foreign nationals that Kenya remains open to small and large-scale trade but warned them to comply with the country’s immigration, work permit, registration and licensing requirements.
Mudavadi said Kenya’s position on foreign nationals engaging in small-scale businesses was regulatory rather than discriminatory, following directives issued by President William Ruto on September 2, 2026, on small-scale trade and informal retail.
He clarified that the government was not imposing a blanket ban on foreigners participating in small-scale businesses.
“The directives announced by our president on September 2, 2026, regarding small-scale trade and informal retail should be understood as measures aimed at protecting vulnerable sectors of our economy, promoting fair competition and securing sustainable livelihoods of Kenyan citizens,” Mudavadi said.
“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.”
Mudavadi urged citizens of Kenya’s partner states to comply with laws governing entry, stay and the provision of services in the country.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said the same principle should apply to Kenyans living and doing business in other East African countries.
He said Kenya remained open to foreign investment and trade provided businesses complied with the relevant legal requirements.
“This is a global practice. Equally, Kenyan citizens in our partner states are also called upon to comply with similar laws and regulations in the territories of their current residents. Kenya is open to small and large-scale trade by foreign nationalities as long as they are compliant with immigration, work permit, registration and licensing requirements,” he said.
Mudavadi said the government’s approach was intended to balance regional integration with domestic laws and regulations.
He said the government remained committed to protecting foreign nationals operating legally in Kenya.
“Therefore, anyone who threatens or interferes with foreign nationals or their businesses will face immediate and the full force of the law. Kenya’s approach is therefore more regulatory rather than discriminatory,” he said.
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to regional and continental integration, citing its obligations under the African Union, East African Community, Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other regional organisations.
He said Kenya would continue to support the free movement of people, capital, goods and services within applicable legal frameworks.
“We continue to advance regional integration and continental unity by facilitating the free movement of people, capital, goods and services in accordance with applicable legal frameworks,” he said.
Mudavadi said Kenya also remained committed to the African Union Agenda 2063 and the principles of Pan-Africanism, while upholding the values of fraternity, dignity and mutual respect within the East African Community.
