NAIROBI, Kenya — Nigeria has moved to reassure its citizens living and doing business in Kenya following President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreign nationals operating small-scale businesses.
Ruto ordered foreigners engaged in activities such as hawking and petty retail to close their businesses, with enforcement of the directive scheduled to begin on September 7, 2026.
The announcement sparked uncertainty among some foreign nationals in Kenya, with concerns over how the measures would affect their businesses and whether enforcement could expose them to harassment.
However, Nigerian High Commissioner to Kenya Danlami Ibrahim said Nigerians in the country had continued with their normal activities and had not panicked following the Kenyan Government’s announcement.
Nigerian envoy says no immediate cause for alarm
Speaking to LEADERSHIP on Wednesday, Ibrahim said he had consulted Nigerian community leaders, professionals, socio-cultural organisations and other representatives to assess the situation following Ruto’s directive.
He said the consultations had established that Nigerians living in Kenya had no immediate reason to be alarmed.
“We have established through our consultations that there is no immediate cause for alarm among Nigerians living in Kenya. The policy is not specifically targeted at Nigerian nationals,” Ibrahim said.
The envoy’s remarks were intended to reassure Nigerians who may have been concerned that the crackdown on foreign traders could specifically affect their community.
Ibrahim said Nigerians had continued with their normal activities despite the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the directive.
Kenya gives undocumented East Africans 90 days
The reassurance came as the Kenyan Government moved to give undocumented East African nationals a 90-day window to regularise their immigration status following the crackdown on foreign traders.
The period is intended to allow affected foreign nationals to obtain the documentation required to remain and operate legally in Kenya.
The government said the measures were aimed at enforcing existing requirements governing foreign workers and businesses.
The developments have nevertheless raised concerns among some foreign nationals over the potential impact of the crackdown on their livelihoods and immigration status.
Burundians seek assistance amid uncertainty
The situation has also affected other foreign communities in Kenya.
Hundreds of Burundians reportedly sought assistance at their embassy in Nairobi amid fears that the crackdown could affect their businesses and their continued stay in the country.
The concerns emerged as Kenyan authorities moved to enforce requirements governing foreign nationals working and operating businesses in the country.
The 90-day regularisation period is therefore expected to give undocumented East African nationals an opportunity to address their immigration status while the government proceeds with enforcement.
Nigerian envoy dismisses fears of xenophobic attacks
Ibrahim also sought to allay concerns about possible xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in Kenya.
He distinguished the situation in Kenya from previous incidents involving Nigerians in South Africa, saying Nigerians should not assume that the Kenyan directive was specifically directed at their community.
The envoy pointed out that most petty trading activities in Kenya were undertaken by citizens from other East African countries.
His comments were aimed at preventing the Kenyan Government’s policy on foreign-owned small businesses from being interpreted as a campaign specifically targeting Nigerians.
Ruto says foreigners should not compete with Kenyans
Ruto announced the crackdown while speaking at State House, saying foreign nationals should not compete with Kenyans in small-scale businesses.
The directive covers activities such as hawking and petty retail, with enforcement expected to begin on September 7.
The government’s position is that foreign nationals engaged in such activities should comply with existing requirements governing business operations and immigration status.
