Amid varied fears over a looming crackdown on small business enterprises owned by foreigners in Kenya, Industry and Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has clarified that visa-free entry into Kenya does not give foreigners the right to engage in employment, trade, or business without the required permits.
In a statement on Sunday, Kinyanjui said the government is moving to address cases where some visitors enter Kenya as tourists or investors but engage in activities outside the terms of their visas.
He said foreigners found violating immigration and work permit regulations will have their visas revoked in accordance with the law.
“Visa-free entry or exemption from eTA requirements does not in itself confer the right to engage in employment, trade or business in Kenya,” Kinyanjui said.
The CS added that enforcement will be conducted in an orderly and transparent manner, while respecting Kenya’s commitments under the East African Community.
Kinyanjui's statement came hours after Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei dismissed a report by French publication
Le Monde
suggesting Kenya was moving to shut down businesses operated by foreign nationals, saying President William Ruto’s remarks had been taken out of context.
In a statement on his X account on Sunday, Sing’Oei said Ruto was responding to the ongoing debate on the Local Content Bill, 2025, which is currently before Parliament and seeks to increase the participation of Kenyan businesses and workers in the economy.
“Le Monde got it wrong. President’s statement has been taken out of context, as he was responding to ongoing debate on the Local Content Bill presently before Parliament,” Sing’Oei said.
His remarks followed a report by Le Monde that portrayed Ruto’s September 2 comments at State House as a directive to close small businesses run by foreigners.
Ruto had told a meeting of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) traders that the government would act against foreign nationals engaged in small-scale businesses that could be undertaken by Kenyans.
Sing’Oei sought to clarify that the government’s position does not amount to a blanket ban on foreign nationals operating businesses or working in Kenya.
“As such, we assure that small or large traders & employees of all nationalities, with requisite documentation- work permits & licenses- are legally protected to operate in Kenya,” he said.
The clarification comes as Parliament considers the Local Content Bill, which proposes that foreign companies source at least 60% of specified goods and services locally where they meet the required standards.
The Bill also proposes that at least 80% of the workforce of a foreign company should be Kenyan citizens. Parliament has described the proposed legislation as an effort to ensure foreign investment creates jobs and supports local businesses.