Kenyan president orders crackdown on foreign traders

Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreigners operating small-scale businesses in the country, saying local traders and hawkers need to be protected.

Ruto made the announcement at a meeting with small-scale traders at State House in Nairobi on Wednesday.

He said foreign traders would be welcome in Kenya if they invested in ways that created jobs and expanded opportunities for Kenyans.

“From next week, all foreign traders doing those small businesses should close them,” he said, adding that his government would fast-track legislation to prevent foreigners from operating in certain areas of trade.

Ruto specifically referred to Chinese traders, arguing that foreign investors should focus on creating jobs and increasing production rather than competing with Kenyans in small businesses.

“It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop,” he said.

The president’s announcement comes amid growing debate over the number of African migrants working in Kenya’s informal economy. Foreign nationals can be found working in barber shops and salons, construction, motorcycle taxis and street vending, as well as selling clothes, food and household goods.

Kenya is also home to a large refugee population. Government figures show that about 857,000 refugees and asylum seekers were registered in the country by the end of June, with nearly 14% living in urban areas.

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Kenyan law allows refugees to work and operate businesses if they obtain the required documentation and special permits.

The growing presence of foreign traders has sometimes caused tensions with local workers and business owners, who accuse migrants of competing for scarce jobs and commercial opportunities.

In July, a video showing a Kenyan man confronting a Burundian trader in Nairobi and accusing him of taking opportunities from locals sparked widespread criticism. The incident prompted calls for the protection of Burundian citizens living in Kenya.

Kenya’s foreign ministry also moved to reassure Burundians and other East Africans living in the country after the confrontation.

Ruto, who is expected to seek a second term in next year’s election, has said Kenya remains open to foreign investment but wants it to benefit local workers and businesses.

(BBC News)