NAIROBI, Kenya — People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has accused President William Ruto of using his directive targeting businesses operated by undocumented foreigners as a political strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Karua said the government was attempting to shift public attention away from its record on unemployment and the cost of living by blaming foreigners for economic challenges facing Kenyans.
In a statement issued Tuesday, September 8, Karua argued that Ruto’s declaration could be used to create the impression that his administration was defending Kenyan traders and job seekers.
“Now the tactic is clear: shift the blame from government failures to the suggestion that someone else is taking the opportunities meant for Kenyan and suddenly be seen as the President that can stand before traders and say, I am protecting your space, and I am putting Kenyans first,” Karua claimed.
The former Justice Minister said protecting Kenyan economic interests should not involve victimising foreigners, particularly nationals from neighbouring countries.
Karua links directive to 2027 election
Karua said the government had failed to deliver on promises made when Ruto campaigned as a champion of ordinary Kenyans, particularly young people and small-scale traders.
She argued that the administration should address unemployment, taxation and the cost of living rather than directing public frustration towards foreign nationals.
“He came to power promising to be the President of the hustle: the small trader, the young person looking for work, the ordinary Kenyan trying to make a living. Four years later, Kenyans are still struggling with the cost of living, unemployment, high taxes and an increasingly difficult environment in which to do business,” Karua stated.
Her comments come as political parties and leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The question of employment and opportunities for young people is expected to remain a major issue in the campaign, with opposition leaders increasingly challenging the government over its economic record.
Karua’s interpretation of the government’s policy as an election strategy is her political assessment and has not been independently established.
Karua warns against targeting Burundians
Karua specifically appealed to Kenyans not to turn their economic frustrations against Burundian nationals operating small businesses in the country.
She warned that public anger over unemployment and business conditions should not develop into xenophobic rhetoric or hostility towards foreigners.
According to Karua, Kenya cannot address its economic difficulties by creating enemies among neighbouring populations.
Her remarks come after reports of anxiety among some Burundian nationals operating small businesses in different parts of the country following the government’s announcement on foreign traders.
Some Burundian traders have reported threats and disruptions to their businesses, while others have begun considering returning to Burundi.
The individual reports of threats have not been independently verified.
Government announces 90-day regularisation window
The controversy followed President Ruto’s directive for the government to undertake a 90-day regularisation exercise for foreign nationals conducting businesses in Kenya.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the exercise was intended to ensure that foreign traders comply with Kenya’s immigration, work-permit, business registration and licensing requirements.
At the same time, the government said it would protect the rights of foreign nationals who are lawfully residing and conducting business in the country.
The administration has framed the policy as an effort to protect economic opportunities for Kenyans while bringing foreign-owned businesses into compliance with existing laws.
The government has not characterised the exercise as a blanket expulsion of foreign nationals.
Government says lawful foreigners will be protected
Mohamed said the government remained committed to balancing enforcement of Kenyan laws with the protection of people who are legally residing and doing business in the country.
The 90-day period is intended to give affected foreign traders an opportunity to regularise their immigration status and business operations.
The exercise is expected to involve relevant government agencies working in consultation with the embassies of affected countries.
After the regularisation period, the government has indicated that applicable legal requirements will be enforced.
Debate over foreign traders intensifies
The dispute has opened a wider debate over the role of foreign nationals in Kenya’s informal economy and the competition faced by local traders.
Supporters of the government’s position argue that businesses operating in Kenya should comply with immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing requirements, regardless of the nationality of their owners.
Critics, however, have warned against allowing enforcement measures to fuel discrimination or hostility towards foreigners from neighbouring countries.
Karua’s intervention adds a political dimension to the debate, with the PLP leader arguing that the government should focus on addressing structural economic challenges rather than directing public anger towards foreign traders.
The government, meanwhile, maintains that its objective is to protect opportunities for Kenyans while ensuring that foreign nationals operating businesses comply with the law.
