President William Ruto now says Kenya remains open to all foreigners despite his recent directive requiring foreigners engaged in small-scale businesses to regularise their stay within 90 days.
Speaking on Saturday, September 12, Ruto said all foreigners have a place in Kenya provided they comply with laws governing employment, investment, business operations and immigration.
“Kenya is very open for business. I know there has been a lot of debate about who should work in Kenya or should invest in Kenya. Let me say this for the record. All investors have a space in Kenya,” he said.
According to him, all foreigners, including those from the East African Community (EAC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), are allowed in Kenya provided they abide by the law.
President William Ruto attending the 59th Passing-Out Parade for Administration Police recruits at the National Police College in Embakasi, Nairobi County, on Friday, September 4, 2026.
PCS
“Every person from wherever they come from will be treated fairly in accordance with the law and made to comply with the regulations governing employment in Kenya, investment in Kenya or visit Kenya,” Ruto stated.
Addressing a forum in Bomet, he directed foreigners doing business or working in Kenya to regularise their status and obtain the required permits, insisting that they must operate within the law.
He also warned Kenyans against taking the law into their own hands by attacking or harassing foreigners, stressing that everyone in the country must be treated fairly.
“No citizen has a right to take the law into their hands and harm other people from other areas. We will continue to be an open society because that is the DNA of Kenya,” Ruto warned.
His remarks came days after he issued a 90-day ultimatum requiring foreigners engaged in small-scale businesses in Kenya to regularise their stay and business operations.
Under the directive, affected foreigners should obtain the necessary immigration documents, work permits, business registrations and local licences within the 90 days.
The 90-day ultimatum followed uncertainty among foreign traders, with some fearing that their businesses would be shut down immediately if they failed to comply with the requirements.
The development also triggered long queues at some foreign missions in Nairobi as traders sought to regularise their status following the government directive.
Ruto’s latest remarks also came amid reports of harassment and attacks targeting some foreign traders, particularly Burundians, following the government’s announcement.
Some affected foreign traders reportedly lost their businesses and livelihoods, while others faced threats and eviction from premises and homes.
Hundreds of Burundian nationals line up at the Burundi Embassy in Kenya to obtain emergency travel documents on Monday, September 7, 2026.
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