NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has given foreign nationals conducting businesses in Kenya 90 days to regularise their immigration, work permit, business registration and licensing status before authorities begin strict enforcement against those operating outside the law.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the regularisation exercise follows President William Ruto’s directive to protect opportunities for Kenyan citizens in the micro and small-enterprise sector while safeguarding the rights of foreign nationals who are legally resident and authorised to work or conduct business in the country.
“Over the next 90 days, the government will conduct an orderly regularisation exercise to facilitate compliance,” Mohamed said in a statement.
He said the exercise will be coordinated by relevant government agencies in consultation with affected countries’ embassies, giving foreign nationals an opportunity to bring their immigration status and business operations into compliance with Kenyan law.
Mohamed stressed that all individuals conducting business in Kenya are required to meet applicable immigration, work permit, registration and licensing requirements.
During the 90-day period, he said, government agencies would provide guidance and administer the requirements “fairly, consistently and without discrimination.”
“At the conclusion of the 90-day regularisation period, immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements will be enforced firmly and strictly in accordance with the law and due process,” Mohamed said.
Government moves to protect Kenyan small businesses
The announcement comes amid growing concerns from Kenyan traders over the participation of foreign nationals in small-scale businesses and informal trade.
According to State House, Ruto received representations from Kenyan traders during an engagement last week over the impact of foreign participation in small businesses and the livelihoods of Kenyan entrepreneurs.
The President reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to protect and expand economic opportunities for Kenyan citizens, particularly in the micro and small-enterprise sector, which supports millions of households.
At the same time, Ruto affirmed that foreign nationals who are lawfully resident, employed, investing or conducting business in Kenya must be protected.
Mohamed said Ruto had directed that the Local Content Bill, 2025, currently before Parliament, be expanded to establish a framework governing participation in small-scale trade and enterprise.
The proposed framework would identify categories of economic activity that could be reserved for Kenyan citizens while providing legal certainty and protection for foreign nationals who are legally entitled to work, invest and conduct business in the country.
Government warns against harassment of foreign traders
The government stressed that protecting Kenyan businesses would not mean closing Kenya to legitimate foreign investment.
“Kenya will protect economic opportunities for its citizens, especially within the micro and small-enterprise sector, while remaining open to lawful foreign investment, enterprise and employment,” Mohamed said.
He also warned individuals and groups against taking enforcement into their own hands or targeting foreign traders.
“The interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the law are the exclusive responsibility of duly authorised State agencies,” he said.
“No individual or group has the authority to harass, intimidate, threaten or interfere with foreign nationals or their businesses.”
Mohamed said anyone engaging in such conduct would face action under the law, cautioning that legitimate concerns over economic opportunities could not be used to justify discrimination, lawlessness or violence.
Kenya reaffirms commitment to regional integration
The government also sought to reassure foreign nationals and investors that Kenya would remain open and secure while protecting the rights of people lawfully within its borders.
Mohamed reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to regional integration through frameworks including the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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“We will continue to facilitate the movement of people, labour, services and capital in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks,” he said.
The 90-day period is therefore expected to serve two purposes: giving foreign nationals time to regularise their status and allowing the government to clarify which categories of small-scale businesses could ultimately be reserved for Kenyan citizens once the proposed legislative framework is enacted.
At the end of the window, authorities are expected to begin enforcing immigration, work permit, registration and licensing requirements against businesses and individuals found to be operating outside the law.
