Kenya minister warns foreigners against 'misusing' visas to trade

Kenya minister warns foreigners against 'misusing' visas to trade

Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui says foreign nationals must comply with the law

Kenya’s trade ministry has cautioned foreign nationals that visa-free entry into the country does not give them permission to work, as the government moves to shut down unlicensed small businesses operated by foreigners.

President William Ruto had set today as the deadline for foreigners running small-scale businesses to stop working.

Before the action, the Burundian embassy in Kenya said it would provide emergency free travel documents to its citizens who wanted to return home, amid reports of mistreatment of Burundians.

It is not clear how many foreign nationals are engaged in small-scale trading or how many will be affected by the crackdown.

In a statement, the trade ministry said there was a "deliberate misuse of visa applications by some visitors", adding that some had entered Kenya as investors or tourists but later became involved in business activities in violation of their declared status.

"Owing to the high number of foreigners involved in the retail and local trade sectors, there is therefore a need to align their activities and ensure compliance with work permit provisions," Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui said.

Last week, Ruto said Kenya remained open to foreign investment, but it could not be "that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop".

He said investors should create jobs and increase production instead of competing with Kenyans in small businesses.

Ruto’s remarks drew mixed reactions, with some critics calling them a populist move that risked fueling xenophobia. Government officials reject that claim.

Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Edouard Bizimana said in a post on X that "Kenyans in Burundi were living peacefully but if the hate speech against Burundi continues things will certainty change".

"Kenya government is responsible for the lives of Burundians living in Kenya," he added.

Bizimana’s post came after an urgent meeting he held with representatives of the East African Community (EAC), an eight-member bloc that promotes economic integration in the region.

Both Kenya and Burundi are members of the group. Kenyan representatives attended the meeting called by Bizimana in Burundi.

Bizimana said he had asked the Kenyan ambassador to pass Burundi’s concerns to his government and to make sure that no Burundian was subjected to abuse.

On Sunday, a senior official in Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry said foreigners with the necessary documents, including "work permits and licences", could continue their activities.

"Burundian nationals and all East Africans - and Africans for that matter - are free to live in Kenya as long as they conduct their businesses or work according to the requirements of our laws, Permanent Secretary Korir Sing'oei said.

The government’s clarification, however, did little to calm concerns among some foreign traders.

Alexis Ntinanirwa, head of the Association of Burundians living in Kenya, told the BBC Great Lakes service that he was unhappy with Ruto’s decision, but was urging Burundians to stay patient.

He warned that the matter could have broader regional consequences because Kenyans are also involved in small-scale businesses in other East African countries.

"This issue is not only going to cause problems for Burundians working in Kenya, but it is also going to cause problems in the region because there are also Kenyans doing these small jobs in our countries in Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda."

Ntinanirwa advised Burundians involved in hawking and other small businesses to avoid confrontation with police.