Visa-Free Entry Does Not Allow Foreigners to Trade Without Permits, Says Kinyanjui

Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has clarified that Kenya’s visa-free entry policy does not give foreign nationals automatic permission to work, hawk or operate businesses without the necessary permits.

Kinyanjui said foreigners entering the country must comply with existing immigration, labour and business regulations, even where visa requirements allow them to enter Kenya without a visa.

The CS was speaking as the government moves to enforce President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreign nationals engaged in small-scale trading and hawking without the required documentation.

Kinyanjui stressed that the directive should not be interpreted as a licence for Kenyans to harass or attack foreigners. He warned citizens against taking the law into their own hands, saying enforcement would be handled by the relevant government agencies.

He further explained that nationals from East African Community member states would be handled differently because of Kenya’s obligations under the EAC Common Market Protocol, which provides for the free movement of people and workers within the bloc.

However, Kinyanjui maintained that visa-free access and the right to engage in economic activities are not the same thing.

According to the CS, foreigners seeking to work or conduct business in Kenya must obtain the appropriate documentation and approvals required under Kenyan law.

The government’s position comes amid growing concerns from local traders over competition from foreign nationals operating small retail businesses and hawking in Kenyan towns.

President Ruto has defended the crackdown, saying Kenya’s investment policies were designed to attract investors rather than open up the informal retail sector to foreign hawkers.

The government is also working with Parliament on measures aimed at protecting certain categories of low-level businesses and employment opportunities for Kenyan citizens.

Kinyanjui said the government would continue implementing the directive through established legal and administrative channels, urging both Kenyans and foreign nationals to respect the law.