President William Ruto has addressed the nation to offer a definitive path forward following days of growing diplomatic tension, public uproar, and intense media debates concerning foreign traders.
Speaking in the wake of widespread confusion across urban commercial hubs and friction at diplomatic missions, the President has sought to calm anxieties while reinforcing the government’s commitment to lawful trade regulation.
In a pivotal policy announcement, President Ruto has officially declared a structured 90-day grace period for all foreign nationals operating small-scale businesses in Kenya to fully regularize their immigration status, work permits, and trade documentation.
This decisive transition window has aimed to alleviate the immediate panic that has driven hundreds of East African merchants particularly Burundians to seek refuge at their respective embassies.
The administration has emphasized that any individual actively seeking proper documentation during this three-month reprieve will remain fully protected from arbitrary arrest, harassment, or summary business closures.
However, the Head of State has maintained a firm stance regarding long-term economic boundaries, reaffirming that immigration laws and municipal licensing regulations will face strict enforcement once the 90-day period expires.
The government has clarified that while legitimate foreign investment remains welcome under established legal frameworks, informal retail, market hawking, and low-capital micro-enterprises must remain reserved for local Kenyan entrepreneurs seeking livelihoods.
To ensure orderly execution without triggering further xenophobia or lawlessness, state security apparatuses and regional trade departments have received explicit instructions to oversee the registration process smoothly.
By establishing a clear, humane timeline while upholding national commercial laws, the presidency has attempted to achieve a delicate equilibrium: protecting local informal traders while restoring diplomatic harmony and regional stability across the East African bloc.