Kenya has begun enforcing a government directive requiring foreign nationals to stop operating certain small-scale businesses reserved for Kenyan citizens, a move that has triggered a formal protest from neighbouring Burundi.
The directive, announced by Kenya’s Ministry of Interior, targets foreign nationals engaged in businesses such as small retail shops, hawking, mobile-money services and other activities classified as reserved for Kenyan citizens.
Authorities say the policy is intended to protect opportunities for Kenyan entrepreneurs and ensure that foreigners comply with the country’s immigration and business regulations.
The enforcement has, however, caused concern among foreign traders, particularly members of Kenya’s East African neighbours who have established businesses in the country.
Burundi has formally protested the move, expressing concern over the treatment of its nationals operating businesses in Kenya. The dispute risks adding tension to economic relations between the two countries, which are closely linked through trade and cross-border movement.
Kenyan authorities maintain that the policy is not directed at any particular nationality. Instead, they say it is part of a broader effort to enforce existing laws and prevent foreign nationals from operating businesses that are legally reserved for citizens.
The government has also argued that foreign investors remain welcome in Kenya, provided they operate in sectors open to non-citizens and obtain the required permits and licences.
For Burundian traders affected by the enforcement, however, the distinction offers little immediate relief. Some have invested savings in shops and other small enterprises and now face the prospect of closing their businesses or transferring ownership to Kenyan citizens.
The dispute comes as Kenya seeks to balance the interests of local businesses with its position as a regional commercial hub. Nairobi attracts traders and entrepreneurs from across East Africa because of its relatively large consumer market and financial infrastructure.
The government’s decision could therefore have wider implications for regional commerce, particularly if other East African countries respond with similar restrictions on foreign-owned small businesses.
The Burundi protest is expected to put pressure on both governments to clarify how the new rules will be implemented and what protections, if any, will be available to affected traders.
For now, Kenyan authorities are pressing ahead with enforcement, while Burundi is seeking diplomatic engagement over the treatment of its citizens.
The dispute highlights a broader challenge facing the East African Community: maintaining the free movement of people and regional trade while individual countries seek to protect employment and business opportunities for their own citizens.
