Ruto Orders Foreign Traders to Shut Down Small Businesses

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Kenyan President William Ruto announced a directive requiring foreign nationals involved in small businesses and hawking operations in Kenya to cease their activities. During a meeting with small-scale traders at State House in Nairobi, Ruto emphasized that the trading space should be reserved for local traders.

He indicated that legislation would be expedited to restrict foreigners from participating in certain sectors of trade. Ruto specifically mentioned traders from various countries, including China, stating that their presence in Kenya's informal economy does not align with the type of investment the government seeks.

He framed this directive as a protective measure for ordinary Kenyans who rely on petty trade for their livelihoods. The enforcement details of this directive remain unclear, as does the number of foreign nationals currently engaged in small-scale trading in Kenya.

The announcement comes amid rising debates about the role of migrants in local economies and follows recent xenophobic violence in South Africa.