In ordering foreign small-scale traders to return to their countries and insisting that only foreigners making “significant” investments should be allowed to work in Kenya, President William Ruto may have been speaking to a genuine concern among a section of Kenyan traders. Many small businesses are struggling under the weight of high operating costs, weak consumer demand, taxes and intense competition.
Yet presidential words carry extraordinary weight. When the Head of State publicly singles out foreigners as taking away jobs from Kenyans, the message can quickly mutate from enforcement of immigration and business laws into a licence for harassment, discrimination and violence.
That is already a worrying prospect for thousands of foreigners who live, trade and work peacefully in Kenya. Many are not wealthy investors. They are ordinary people running small shops, selling clothes, operating restaurants or engaging in other legitimate enterprises to make a living.
They cannot be presumed to be criminals simply because they are foreigners.
Immigration and business regulations exist for a reason and must be enforced without fear or favour.
But the President was wrong to handle this sensitive issue with the kind of rhetoric that can easily inflame public passions.
The Government must, therefore, quickly draw a clear distinction between illegal economic activity and nationality. Those without the requisite permits, licences or legal status should be dealt with firmly — but through established law and due process. Those operating legally must be protected.
The government also has a responsibility to prevent the President’s remarks from triggering xenophobic attacks. The police should move swiftly against anyone threatening, attacking or extorting foreign traders. County governments and other authorities must likewise ensure that enforcement operations do not degenerate into mob justice.
There is another grave danger posed by the President’s statement. Thousands of Kenyans live and do business across the region. Any perception that Kenya is turning hostile to foreign nationals could expose them to retaliation in neighbouring countries. A reckless campaign against foreigners here could therefore put Kenyan lives and livelihoods abroad at risk.
The President should lead from the front by reassuring foreigners that Kenya remains a welcoming country governed by the rule of law. Yes, enforce the law. Protect Kenyan businesses. Close loopholes exploited by unscrupulous traders. But do so firmly, fairly and without turning legitimate economic grievances into dangerous politics.
The purported defence of Kenyan jobs must never become an excuse for putting human lives in danger.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
