NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 7 — President William Ruto’s push to enforce laws governing foreign nationals working and doing business in Kenya is not xenophobic, but a legitimate exercise of state authority, his senior constitutional affairs adviser Makau Mutua has said.

📻 Breaking It Down

Mutua, Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs to President Ruto, said foreigners should be required to regularize their status, comply with Kenyan laws and engage in economic activities that contribute to the country.

“Asking foreign nationals to be regularized and follow the law — and to engage in activities that add value to a country — is neither xenophobic nor violative of any known law — but responsible governance,” Mutua said.

“Otherwise, why would a state exist if it couldn’t control its borders?”

📌 What You Need to Know

His remarks come amid growing debate over Ruto’s warning that foreigners could be barred from certain categories of business, particularly small-scale retail and informal trade, where local traders have complained of unfair competition.

The President’s remarks have generated concern among some foreign nationals, particularly from neighbouring countries, prompting the government to clarify that it is targeting non-compliance rather than nationality.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said Ruto’s remarks had been “taken out of context”, explaining that the President was responding to debate on the Local Content Bill currently before Parliament.

“President’s statement has been taken out of context, as he was responding to ongoing debate on the Local Content Bill presently before Parliament,” Sing’oei said.

He assured foreign nationals legally operating in Kenya that they remained protected provided they possessed the necessary documentation.

“As such, we assure that small or large traders & employees of all nationalities, with requisite documentation—work permits & licenses—are legally protected to operate in Kenya,” he said.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya