Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised the government’s crackdown on foreign traders, warning that enforcement without a clear strategy risks creating unnecessary tensions and disrupting economic activity.
The Wiper party leader said the sight of hundreds of small-scale traders seeking emergency travel documents outside the Burundian Embassy in Nairobi demonstrated what he described as a chaotic approach to the government’s directive.
Musyoka argued that protecting Kenyan businesses should be achieved through deliberate policies that allow both local and foreign entrepreneurs to operate within the law.
“Crackdown without strategy is not governance,” Musyoka said, while questioning the manner in which the government has handled the directive targeting foreigners engaged in small-scale trade.
His remarks come after President William Ruto directed authorities to move against foreigners involved in small businesses and informal trade activities reserved for Kenyans.
The government has since clarified that the directive is not a blanket ban on foreigners working or doing business in Kenya. Foreign nationals with valid work permits, business licences and other required documentation are allowed to continue operating legally.
Musyoka, however, maintained that the government should look beyond foreign traders when addressing the challenges facing Kenyan small businesses.
He identified corruption, unpredictable government policies, taxation and tariffs, as well as political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election, as more significant challenges affecting local entrepreneurs.
“The real threats facing our small traders are corruption, an unpredictable working environment including this regime's erratic tariffs and taxation policies, and the pre-election tensions being deliberately stoked by the outgoing regime, not the presence of foreign traders alone,” he said.
The opposition leader called for diplomacy and dialogue to take centre stage in dealing with affected foreign nationals, arguing that Kenya's relations with neighbouring countries could be affected by how the enforcement exercise is conducted.
He warned that failure to handle the matter carefully could deepen divisions between communities and nations while undermining economic activity.
Musyoka also demanded greater transparency in the processing of foreign nationals affected by the crackdown. He said authorities should clearly account for documentation and changes in immigration status issued during the exercise.
According to the Wiper leader, such transparency would prevent the process from being exploited for political or other purposes unrelated to trade and border management.
He further accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of using the crackdown to project strength while failing to address broader economic problems facing Kenyans.
Musyoka linked the country's economic difficulties to what he termed corruption and punitive taxation, arguing that the government's approach was distracting attention from its performance.
The remarks are likely to add to growing political debate over the government's treatment of foreign traders as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 elections.