Hanifa questions risks of retaliation against Kenyans over foreigner crackdown

Activist Hanifa Farsafi has questioned the potential consequences for Kenyans abroad following President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreign nationals operating small businesses in Kenya.

In a post on X on Monday, September 7, 2026, Farsafi raised concerns that measures against foreign traders could trigger retaliatory action against Kenyans living or working in other countries.

“What happens when Burundi and Rwanda retaliate, and Kenyans start getting attacked in foreign countries as well? What a stupid government,” Farsafi wrote.

Her remarks followed Ruto’s announcement last week that foreign traders engaged in small-scale businesses in Kenya would be required to close their operations.

Ruto’s directive

Ruto issued the directive during an address to small-scale traders at State House, Nairobi, saying his administration would move to restrict foreigners from conducting certain forms of small-scale trade.

“From next week, all [foreign] traders doing those small businesses should close them,” Ruto said.

The President said Kenya remained open to foreign investment but argued that foreign investors should focus on creating jobs and expanding production rather than competing with Kenyans in small businesses.

“It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop,” Ruto said.

He also said the government would fast-track proposed legislation to restrict foreigners from certain areas of trade.

Regional concerns

The directive comes against the backdrop of the growing presence of migrants from neighbouring countries in Kenya’s informal economy.

Foreign nationals from the region work in sectors including salons and barber shops, construction, motorcycle transport, street vending and the sale of clothes, food and household goods.

The issue has previously generated tensions between some Kenyan traders and foreign nationals.

In July, a video showing a Kenyan man confronting a Burundian trader in Nairobi over competition for business opportunities sparked widespread criticism.

The incident prompted Fred Ngoga, an expert on regional conflict prevention from Burundi, to call for the protection of Burundian citizens in Kenya.

Farsafi’s intervention has now shifted attention to the possible regional consequences of the government’s crackdown, particularly whether Kenyans living and working in Burundi, Rwanda and other countries could face hostility in response.

The government has maintained that its measures are aimed at protecting opportunities for Kenyan traders while remaining open to legitimate foreign investment.