- Kenya began crackdown on foreign traders Monday, targeting hawking, open-air markets, and neighborhood kiosks.
- Officials said visa-free entry does not permit work, trade, or business without permits and licenses.
- Foreigners with valid papers can keep operating, while Ruto linked the limits to a bill in Parliament.
Kenya began enforcing a crackdown on foreign nationals in small-scale retail and hawking as officials clarified that entry without a visa or eTA exemption does not authorize work, trade, or business activity. It started Monday.
William Ruto ordered the action after saying the traders affected should shut those businesses from September 7, 2026. The sweep targets hawking, open-air markets, petty retail, and neighborhood micro-kiosks. It is not sweeping expulsion.
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The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry said foreigners who want to work, trade, or run a business must meet immigration, permit, and other regulatory rules. In its statement, it said:
"Visa-free entry or exemption from eTA requirements does not in itself confer the right to engage in employment, trade or business in Kenya. Such activities remain subject to the applicable immigration, work permit and other regulatory requirements."
The statement was blunt.
Korir Sing'Oei said on September 6, 2026 that foreigners who meet Kenya's legal requirements, including valid permits and licences, may keep operating legally. He added that foreign nationals already working with the right papers, including tax registration, remain protected. The lawful stay stays lawful.
The order also reached Kimani Ichung'wah. Ruto directed him to engage the immigration department and spell out permit conditions for foreign investors and traders. The department had work to do.
The permit ladder starts with Class D and reaches Special Pass
The routes are not one-size-fits-all. A foreign employee normally uses Class D. Foreign investors use Class G, with a minimum capital of USD 100,000. Remote workers may use Class N, the digital nomad permit. Short assignments of up to six months can go through a Special Pass. East African Community citizens apply under Class R. The ladder is explicit.
| Route | Typical use | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Class D | Foreign employee | Normal route for paid work |
| Class G | Foreign investor | Minimum capital USD 100,000 |
| Class N | Remote worker | Digital nomad permit |
| Special Pass | Short assignment | Up to six months |
| Class R | East African Community citizen | Regional route |
The sweep is aimed at informal traders, not lawful operators
The latest clarification lands after Kenya opened the door to visitors without visas in January 2024 and dropped eTA requirements for most African citizens in January 2025. A tourist stay is not enough. Officials said the current sweep is against unlawful, permit-free commercial activity, not a push to drive out every non-citizen. The border rules still matter. They said enforcement would be orderly and transparent, and would take East African Community obligations into account.
Traders and critics are already pushing back
Foreign traders, especially Burundians in Nairobi, were already seeking travel documents to leave before enforcement began. Burundi's Foreign Minister Édouard Bizimana warned that continued hate speech against Burundians could damage bilateral relations. The mood was tense.
Human rights and migrant-rights critics said the directive could invite discrimination and xenophobic profiling, especially if implementation turns broad or unclear. Some also worried about foreigners who already hold valid permits. That question stayed open.
Ruto tied the limits to a bill in Parliament
Ruto tied the policy to Parliament at a September 2, 2026 MSME meeting at State House. He said:
"We have a Bill in Parliament that there are some trading activities that foreigners can’t do in Kenya."
The legislative path is still live.
