President William Ruto has ordered foreigners operating small businesses in Kenya to stop their operations, with the crackdown expected to begin on Monday, September 7.
Speaking at State House on Wednesday, September 2, Ruto said some small businesses should be reserved for Kenyan citizens.
The president specifically mentioned businesses such as hawking and small retail shops, saying foreigners should no longer operate in these areas.
“From next week, all traders doing those small businesses should close them,” Ruto said while addressing traders from the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector.
The directive comes as Parliament considers the Local Content Bill, 2025, which aims to increase the participation of Kenyans in the country’s economy and create more opportunities for local businesses.
Ruto said the proposed law should clearly identify the types of businesses that foreigners will not be allowed to operate.
The order is expected to affect foreign nationals involved in informal retail businesses and hawking. However, the government has not yet provided full details on how the enforcement will be carried out.
Foreign traders operating affected businesses have therefore been given until Monday, September 7, when the enforcement exercise is expected to begin.
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