Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called on the Kenyan government to restrict foreign nationals from operating small-scale enterprises, advocating for policy measures to reserve the informal and micro-business sectors strictly for citizens.
Speaking on trade protections and regional commercial dynamics, the Senator argued that the influx of foreign operators in small-scale retail, local service sectors, and informal markets poses severe economic pressure on local traders. Cherargei urged the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry alongside domestic security agencies to institute strict regulatory enforcement against non-citizens conducting businesses designated for micro and small enterprises (MSEs).
Cherargei emphasized that micro-enterprises—such as retail shops, mobile money agencies, small-scale farming supply outlets, and salon services—form the backbone of Kenya’s informal economy and should be safeguarded for local livelihoods.
Pointing to neighboring policies within the East African Community (EAC), the Senator urged Nairobi to adopt retaliatory and protective measures to match restrictions imposed on Kenyan traders elsewhere in the region.
He called for an immediate audit of business licenses and work permits issued to foreign nationals operating in local markets, asserting that foreign capital should be directed toward large-scale manufacturing and infrastructure rather than competing directly with small-scale traders.
The Senator’s demands come amid heightened discussions around national trade policy, worker protections, and the enforcement of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act regarding foreign work permits. Local trader associations have periodically voiced concern over foreign domination in major wholesale and retail hubs across urban centers.
While Cherargei insists that reciprocal bans and tighter licensing are essential to protect Kenyan workers, trade experts warn that blanket restrictions on regional operators could spark friction regarding East African Community trade protocols promoting the free movement of goods, services, and labor.
