President William Ruto has ordered foreign nationals engaging in small-scale hawking and trading activities in Kenya to stop, saying the government will move to protect local traders from unfair competition.
Speaking after meeting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) traders at State House,Nairobi,Ruto referenced concerns raised that some foreigners had set up businesses selling items such as duvets and other merchandise, competing directly with local hawkers and small-scale traders.The President said a Bill currently before Parliament seeks to restrict foreign nationals from engaging in certain trading activities in Kenya.
Ruto maintained that Kenya’s efforts to attract foreign investors were intended to bring investment, create jobs and support economic growth, rather than allow foreigners to relocate to the country to engage in small-scale retail activities.
The Head of State also directed Kikuyu Member of Parliament and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to engage the Immigration Principal Secretary and establish the conditions under which foreign investors and traders are issued permits to operate in Kenya.The directive comes amid growing concerns among Kenyan small-scale traders over competition from foreign nationals operating in the retail and informal sectors.
