Foreigners operating small businesses in Kenya have been handed a 90-day reprieve to regularise their immigration, work permit, business registration and licensing status before the Government begins enforcing the requirements more strictly.
State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed announced the 90-day window in a statement on Tuesday, September 8, saying it gives affected foreign nationals an opportunity to bring their businesses and immigration status into compliance with Kenyan law.
“Every person conducting business in Kenya is required to comply with applicable immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements. Over the next 90 days, the Government will conduct an orderly regularisation exercise to facilitate compliance,” Hussein announced.
According to the State House, the exercise will be coordinated by relevant Government agencies in consultation with the embassies of affected countries.
An image of the new State House design taken during a recent state function.
Photo
PCS
“The process will be coordinated by the relevant Government agencies, in consultation with the embassies concerned, to provide affected persons with a clear and structured opportunity to regularise their immigration status and business operations in accordance with the law,” he added.
The announcement came a day after anxiety and confusion among foreigners, following President William Ruto’s orders to shut down small-scale businesses and the hawking activities they operated.
Hundreds of Burundians turned up at their embassy in Nairobi seeking travel documents and assistance, with fear of being harassed.
The latest development from the State House now provides a clearer framework for implementing Ruto’s directive targeting foreign participation in small-scale trade, which has generated uncertainty over possible harassment and forced departures.
During the 90 days, agencies would provide guidance and administer the requirements fairly, consistently, and without discrimination.
However, once the window closes, Hussein said the government will fully enforce the requirement in accordance with the Kenyan laws.
“During this period, the responsible Government agencies will provide the necessary guidance and administer the applicable requirements fairly, consistently, and without discrimination. At the conclusion of the 90-day regularisation period, immigration, work-permit, registration, and licensing requirements will be enforced firmly and strictly in accordance with the law and due process,” the statement said.
The pronouncement gives foreigners, especially Burundians, conducting small-scale business in the country a sigh of relief following the Monday confusion over their stay in the country.
More to follow…
