Martha Karua has criticised President William Ruto’s directive targeting foreign nationals engaged in small-scale businesses, warning that economic frustrations should not be turned into hostility against Kenya’s neighbours.
The People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader described the government’s approach as a possible “new economic playbook” ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that the administration was shifting attention from domestic economic challenges to foreign traders.
Karua said Ruto was elected on a platform that presented him as the “President of the hustle,” particularly appealing to small traders, young people seeking employment and ordinary Kenyans struggling to make a living.
However, she argued that nearly four years into the administration, Kenyans continued to face economic pressures, including the high cost of living, unemployment, increased taxation and a challenging business environment.
According to Karua, the government’s latest focus on foreign traders risks creating the impression that foreigners are responsible for economic opportunities that Kenyans are unable to access.
She said there was a legitimate need to prioritise Kenyan citizens in economic policy but cautioned that such a policy should not be used to divert attention from government shortcomings.
“There is nothing wrong with putting Kenyans first, but that cannot simply mean finding someone else to blame for the failures of government,” Karua said.
Her comments come as Burundian nationals in Kenya face uncertainty following the government’s directive on foreign traders. Reports indicated that some Burundians had sought travel documents to return home, prompting Burundi to prepare buses and facilitate the issuance of travel documents for citizens wishing to leave Kenya.
The Kenyan government has maintained that its measures are aimed at enforcing immigration, work permit and business regulations rather than targeting foreigners based on nationality.
Karua nonetheless warned against allowing legitimate concerns over employment and business opportunities to evolve into xenophobic sentiment.
“We must not allow economic frustration to become xenophobic rhetoric,” she said, adding that Kenya could not achieve prosperity by “creating enemies or turning our neighbours into targets.”
Her remarks inject a political dimension into the debate as parties and potential presidential contenders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
The controversy has also renewed debate over how Kenya can protect opportunities for its citizens while maintaining its commitments to regional integration and the free movement of people within the East African Community.