Nyeri traders and businessmen have expressed mixed reactions following a move by the State to crackdown on unregistered foreign small-entrepreneurs in the country.
This follows last week’s pronouncement by President Dr William Ruto directing foreigners operating small-scale traders and competing with indigenous people to leave the country.
While some residents support the government move, others argue that African nationals should be spared from the exercise.
Majority of traders in Nyeri are also calling for a sober approach that would ensure foreign nationals comply with Kenyan laws while also protecting them from harassment and discrimination from locals.
Francis Kimotho, a bodaboda operator, says Kenyans should not use the government’s directive as an opportunity to harass Burundian traders or other foreign nationals.
He also argues that the three months given to foreigners operating small businesses in the country to obtain work permits is inadequate for them to comply with the directive.
“This matter (of foreign traders) should be left to the State, through the Immigration Department, to ensure they have the proper permits to run businesses in the country. Moreover, the[H1] crackdown should not only target people from Burundi but should be extended to all nationals,” Kimotho said.
However, Samuel Njoroge, a sawmill operator said the matter needs to be considered from the perspective of what Kenyan business owners are contending with in terms of competition from foreigners.
“Foreign nationals coming here should operate within the country’s business standards, including in matters of price control. For instance, if I charge Sh600 to perform a certain task and a foreigner goes for an amount that is less, it goes without saying that the employer will definitely go for the cheaper option,” he points out.
Njoroge has however condemned the reported cases of Burundi nationals being attacked and their property destroyed by criminal elements in parts of Nairobi terming such acts unacceptable in a civilized democracy.
“The government should be left to handle the matter through the proper immigration channels. Kenyans should never break into foreign-owned businesses, destroy equipment, beat up traders or harass fellow Africans,” added Njoroge.
John Mugo who operates a saw miller in town has called for clearer communication from the government whenever presidential directives affecting foreign nationals are issued.
He said clearer communication channels would help prevent confusion and unnecessary tension between Kenyan citizens and foreign nationals.
“Whenever the President issues a directive of this nature, it ought to be communicated clearly, with relevant government departments stepping in to break down the details to citizens,” Mugo said.
“Such clarity would help avoid confusion and unnecessary friction between Kenyan citizens and foreigners,” he added.
On her part Naomi Ndung’u, a greengrocer in Nyeri town argues that foreign traders should not be blamed for selling goods and offering their services at lower prices compared to Kenyans.
To address the complaints of local traders over competition from foreign small –scale entrepreneurs, Ndung’u called for constructive dialogue between traders and authorities to iron out the matter.
“Foreign traders often charge less not because they are wealthier than Kenyan traders, but because of the tough economic conditions in the country that push sellers to lower their prices to attract customers. There should be open dialogue on pricing rather than confrontation, because a pricing disagreement should not be treated as a crime,” she said.
“The process of dealing with foreign traders should be conducted appropriately and foreigners should be treated equally with citizens,” she added.
Ndung’u also likened the mishandling of Burundi citizens by rogue elements to the mistreatment of Kenyans working in some Middle East countries and said such incidents should serve as a lesson on how we should not treat foreigners.
“The pain felt when Kenyan women working in Saudi Arabia and other countries are mistreated should inform us on how we should treat foreigners here. Attacking people from other nationalities for whatever basis should not be acceptable in Kenya.” she said.
Nyeri Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Chair Ibrahim Maina says Kenya’s handling of Burundian nationals and other foreign citizens should never curtail their basic freedoms as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights.
Maina argues that since Kenya is a signatory to both international and regional treaties, she should tread carefully on matters touching on foreigners to avoid damaging her image both at the continental level and globally.
“As the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry we do not support any move that calls for expulsion of foreign traders from the country and especially those from the region. The mind behind the establishment of the East African Community was to promote economic and political integration among member states. We cannot therefore advance any agenda that goes against these ideals for doing so can only imperil our image here and also ruin our diplomatic relations with other countries.” he pointed out.
Maina also faulted those who are blaming foreigners for lost business opportunities in the country and dismissed such arguments as self-defeating.
He said while it is true that foreign nationals including from Burundi currently run hundreds of small businesses in Nairobi and other big towns in the country, the figure is negligible compared to what Kenyans can do in terms of entrepreneurship.
“We cannot solve our domestic problems by ordering foreigners to leave our country so that we can take over from where they have left. Those Burundi citizens who come to Nairobi to eke a living do so by hawking ground nuts, tea, pastries and roasting maize.
These are very menial occupations which the majority of us often shun. Our problems are deeper than foreign traders who are operating here and this is what we need to resolve instead of fighting our brothers from across the border,” he stated.
Since Monday this week thousands of citizens from Burundi have been camping at their embassy in Nairobi seeking clearance to enable them travel out of the country for fear of arrest and attack from criminal elements.
The exodus has drawn criticism and support in equal measure both locally and regionally prompting State House to clarify the Government’s position on the matter.
In a press release on September 8, State House stressed the position of the government was never to expel foreign traders from the country but to ensure those operating here are duly registered under existing legal framework.
The Government also maintained that it was committed to protecting and expanding local small-enterprises besides safeguarding the legitimate interests of foreign nationals who are lawfully residents, employed, investing or conducting business in Kenya.
In the meantime, foreign nationals operating small business in the country without proper documentations were also granted 90 days in which to obtain the necessary papers failure to which they will be dealt with in accordance with applicable laws.
“Kenya’s commitment to the East African Community, regional integration and the greater unity of the African continent remains firm. We will continue to facilitate the movement of people, labour, services and capital in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks, while advancing continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other instruments of African cooperation,” read part of the press statement.
by Samuel Maina/George Githae
