President William Ruto has reaffirmed that Kenya remains open to foreigners, despite his recent directive requiring non-citizens involved in small-scale businesses to regularise their stay and operations within 90 days.
Speaking on Saturday, September 12, Ruto said foreigners are welcome to live, work, invest and conduct business in Kenya as long as they comply with the country's laws governing immigration, employment and investment.
“Kenya is very open for business. I know there has been a lot of debate about who should work in Kenya or should invest in Kenya. Let me say this for the record. All investors have a space in Kenya,” he said.
The President maintained that foreigners from all parts of the world, including citizens of the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), are free to operate in Kenya provided they abide by the law.
“Every person from wherever they come from will be treated fairly in accordance with the law and made to comply with the regulations governing employment in Kenya, investment in Kenya or visit Kenya,” Ruto stated.
Addressing a forum in Bomet, Ruto directed foreigners working or running businesses in Kenya to ensure they regularise their status and obtain all the necessary permits and documentation.
He stressed that foreign nationals must comply with the legal requirements governing their stay, employment and business activities in the country.
At the same time, the Head of State warned Kenyans against harassing, attacking or taking action against foreigners, insisting that no individual should take the law into their own hands.
“No citizen has a right to take the law into their hands and harm other people from other areas. We will continue to be an open society because that is the DNA of Kenya,” Ruto warned.
His latest remarks come days after he issued a 90-day ultimatum to foreigners engaged in small-scale businesses, directing them to regularise their immigration status and business operations.
Under the directive, affected foreign nationals are expected to obtain the required immigration documents, work permits, business registrations and relevant local licences within the 90-day period.
The announcement initially sparked uncertainty among foreign traders, with some expressing fears that businesses could be shut down immediately if they failed to meet the government's requirements.
The directive also reportedly led to long queues at some foreign missions in Nairobi as traders rushed to process the necessary documents and regularise their status.
Ruto's clarification comes amid reports of harassment and attacks against some foreign traders, particularly Burundian nationals, following the government's announcement.
Some of the affected traders reportedly lost their businesses and sources of income, while others faced threats and eviction from their business premises and homes.
The President's latest statement now appears aimed at reassuring foreign nationals that Kenya remains open to investors and workers from other countries, while emphasising that all individuals living and doing business in the country must comply with the law.
