In Kenya, the editorial board of Nation Kenya called on the authorities to prevent the persecution of foreign small traders following statements by President William Ruto. As noted in an editorial, the president ordered such entrepreneurs to return to their countries and said that only foreigners with “substantial” investments should work in Kenya.
Risk of persecution
The article’s authors pointed out that some Kenyan traders suffer from high operating costs, weak consumer demand, taxes, and intense competition. At the same time, in the editorial board’s view, the head of state’s public statements that foreigners are taking jobs from Kenyans could turn enforcement of migration and business rules into a pretext for harassment, discrimination, and violence.
The editorial board stressed that thousands of foreigners in Kenya live peacefully and conduct legal business: they run small shops, sell clothing, and work in restaurants and other enterprises. They cannot be considered criminals solely because of their foreign citizenship, the article states.
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Action within the law
Nation Kenya believes that the government must clearly separate illegal economic activity from the issue of nationality. People without the necessary permits, licenses, or legal status should, in the editorial board’s view, be dealt with under established legislation and due process. The publication called for entrepreneurs operating legally to be protected.
The editorial board also called on police to respond promptly to threats, attacks, or extortion targeting foreign traders, and on county authorities and other institutions to prevent inspections from escalating into vigilante justice. In the publication’s view, hostility toward foreigners could create risks for Kenyans who live and work in other countries in the region.
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