The government has moved to clarify its position on the movement of East African traders in Kenya amid growing debate over President William Ruto’s directive on foreigners operating small businesses.
Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Susan Mang’eni said Kenya remains committed to the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda and has no plans to reverse agreements allowing the movement of people and trade within the region.
Mang’eni dismissed reports that the government had issued an ultimatum to small scale traders from neighbouring EAC countries operating in Kenya.
“Those are just propaganda and are meant to raise tension. There was nothing like that,” she said.
She said Kenya remains bound by regional trade agreements that provide for the free movement of people and economic activities among EAC member states.
“We have trade protocols that we have agreed on. We know very well that there is free movement of people,” Mang’eni said.
Her remarks come days after Ruto directed authorities to act against foreigners operating small businesses that he said should be reserved for Kenyans.
The directive triggered concern among some foreign traders, particularly citizens from neighbouring countries, with the government later announcing a 90 day period for foreigners to regularise their immigration, work permit and business documentation.
The government has maintained that the exercise is meant to ensure compliance with Kenyan and EAC laws and is not targeting foreigners based on their nationality. It has also warned against harassment, intimidation and xenophobia.
Mang’eni said Kenya stands to benefit from a larger regional market and should not undermine the same integration arrangements that give Kenyan businesses access to neighbouring countries.
The EAC has expanded from its original three members to eight countries, creating a regional market of more than 300 million people, she said.
“As Kenya, we can never even try to frustrate or walk back what we approved and what we have been supporting from the very beginning,” Mang’eni said.
She pointed to the planned East Africa MSME Trade Fair in Kigali, Rwanda, where more than 500 Kenyan businesses are expected to participate later in October and early November.
The government hopes Kenyan traders will use the regional market to find new customers, expand their businesses and increase exports.
Mang’eni also defended some foreign traders operating in Kenya, saying they are part of local supply chains because they purchase goods from Kenyan farmers, manufacturers and suppliers.
“When they’re selling those njugus, they are not bringing in those groundnuts. They are buying groundnuts from here,” she said.
She said the government would continue addressing practices that disadvantage Kenyan businesses through legislation and regulation, but ruled out closing Kenya’s economy to traders from the region.
“We are a liberal economy. We are bound by the protocols which we are party to,” Mang’eni said.
The clarification comes as the debate over foreign traders continues to test Kenya’s commitment to regional integration while the government seeks to protect opportunities for local businesses.
