Ruto orders crackdown on foreign hawkers, says Gov't will protect local traders

Speaking after meeting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) traders at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, September 2, Ruto referenced concerns raised that some foreigners had set up businesses selling items such as duvets and other merchandise, competing directly with local hawkers and small-scale traders.

The President said a Bill currently before Parliament seeks to restrict foreign nationals from engaging in certain trading activities in Kenya.

He called on traders and other stakeholders to engage with the proposed legislation before it is passed to ensure that any loopholes allowing foreigners to engage in hawking and other small-scale businesses are sealed.

"We have a Bill in Parliament that there are some trading activities that foreigners can't do in Kenya. By law, nataka mketi chini na wafanyibiashara waangalie kwa sababu hatujapitisha so that we seal all the loopholes so that mtu asitoke China kuja kuwa hawker," Ruto stated.

The President said that even as the government waits for Parliament to consider and pass the proposed law, administrative measures would be taken to address foreign nationals operating as hawkers and small-scale traders.

He indicated that the measures would begin as early as next week.

"As we wait for the law to go on, administratively, from next week, Lee (Kinyanjui) akirudi kutoka Addis. Hawa wachuuzi ambao wanafanya biashara ndogo ndogo wafunge na wasipofunga..." Ruto stated.

President Ruto maintained that Kenya's efforts to attract foreign investors were intended to bring investment, create jobs and support economic growth, rather than allow foreigners to relocate to the country to engage in small-scale retail activities.

"Hatujajenga investor confidence ndo hawkers wakuje Kenya. Ile tumejenga ni for investors, si traders and hawkers," Ruto stated.

The Head of State also directed Kikuyu Member of Parliament and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah to engage the Immigration Principal Secretary and establish the conditions under which foreign investors and traders are issued permits to operate in Kenya.

"Kimani Ichung'wah, call the Immigration PS, I want to know the investor permit," Ruto stated.

The directive comes amid growing concerns among Kenyan small-scale traders over competition from foreign nationals operating in the retail and informal sectors.