Kenya Orders Foreign Nationals Out of Small-Business Jobs

What changed

President William Ruto has ordered foreign nationals running small businesses in Kenya to leave those jobs by 7 September, while legislation before parliament would restrict petty trade to Kenyans and require local sourcing of some materials, according to BBC News.

The directive has triggered harassment, business closures and departures among Burundians and other migrants working as tuk-tuk drivers, traders, barbers, construction workers, motorbike-taxi operators and street vendors. Burundian driver Ndaikech Ali, who had worked in Nairobi for nine years, said he could no longer work safely and was seeking travel documents at his embassy.

Some families have already been divided. Grace Wamaitha said her Burundian husband left the day after the 3 September directive, leaving her to support their five children by taking on extra laundry work. Other migrants have reportedly rushed to border crossings, where some became stranded.

Kenya is part of the eight-country East African Community, which allows relative freedom of movement, although work and long-term residence require permits. Kenyan law also allows refugees to work and operate businesses with the required documentation.

Why it matters

The policy could affect not only migrants’ incomes but also Kenyan households that depend on them. If workers stop earning before officials distinguish between undocumented work and legally permitted employment, rents, food costs and school fees may go unpaid.

The reporting also suggests that a measure intended to reserve low-level jobs for Kenyans may be interpreted as permission to target foreign nationals generally. That could drive people out of businesses and communities where they have lived for years, while disrupting families and local services.

What to watch next

The key tests are how the legislation is ultimately written, whether enforcement distinguishes between undocumented workers and people with valid permits or refugee rights, and whether authorities act against harassment.

Further closures, border departures or family separations would indicate that the directive is producing broader consequences than a labor-market restriction. Conversely, clear documentation rules and restrained enforcement could limit the crackdown’s effects while parliament considers the proposed law.