Kenyan President William Ruto has directed authorities to begin a crackdown on foreign nationals operating small-scale businesses in the country, with enforcement scheduled to start on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Ruto specifically mentioned foreigners engaged in hawking and operating small retail shops, saying such businesses should be reserved for Kenyan citizens.
The President gave the directive on Wednesday, September 2, while addressing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) traders at State House in Nairobi.
According to Ruto, Kenya welcomes foreign investment but foreigners should not compete with local citizens in small businesses that require relatively little capital to establish.
“There are traders from foreign nations, let me not mention the countries, who have come here and started hawking or engaging in small businesses,” Ruto said.
He questioned why foreigners would come to Kenya to engage in businesses such as hawking and running small shops.
“From next week, all traders doing those small businesses should close them,” he said.
Ruto also called for the fast-tracking of the Local Content Bill, 2025, currently before Parliament. The proposed legislation seeks to identify certain businesses and economic activities that would be reserved for Kenyan citizens.
The directive is expected to affect foreign nationals involved in small-scale retail and hawking activities, although it does not amount to a blanket ban on foreign investment in Kenya.
The development comes amid growing concerns among Kenyan traders over competition from foreign-owned businesses, particularly in the small and medium enterprise sector.
