Ruto says Kenya remains open to foreign investors, workers who follow the law

Speaking during the foundation stone‑laying ceremony for Chebunyo Mother and Child Hospital in Bomet County on Saturday, September 12, Ruto said Kenya remained open for business and had worked to create an environment that encourages investment and employment.

“I know there has been a big debate about who should work in Kenya, who should invest in Kenya. Let me say this for the record: all investors have space in Kenya,” Ruto said.

He noted that the government had gone out of its way to eliminate barriers and remove bottlenecks that had impeded investment, adding that foreign direct investment had grown from $1.6 billion (Ksh.210.4 billion) to $3.2 billion (Ksh.421 billion) over the past three years.

Ruto said Kenya expected further growth in foreign investment, pointing to several projects already in the pipeline, including a planned $16 billion commitment by Dangote to build a refinery in Lamu, which he said was expected to be signed at the end of the month.

Turning to the regional dimension, the President affirmed that Kenya remained committed to the East African Community (EAC), COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying citizens of member countries were free to invest and work in Kenya within the rules provided by Kenyan law.

"As citizens of this country, we are believers in the East African Community,” Ruto said.

The Head of State also warned against targeting foreigners, stressing that all foreign nationals must be treated fairly while complying with Kenyan regulations.

“Every person from wherever they come from will be treated fairly in accordance with the law and made to comply with the regulations governing employment in Kenya, investment in Kenya, visit to Kenya, whether they are tourists, whether they have come to work, or whether they have come to invest,” he added.

"We will continue to be an open society because that is the DNA of Kenya.”

His remarks come amid the government’s 90‑day window for foreign nationals engaged in small‑scale businesses to regularise their status and comply with the relevant requirements.