National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has defended President William Ruto’s position on foreigners doing business in Kenya, saying the President did not seek to bar foreigners from the country but wanted to protect small-scale businesses that provide livelihoods for Kenyans.
Wetang’ula said foreigners who enter Kenya to live or conduct business should register with the relevant authorities, while investors should continue to receive government support.
Speaking at a Boda Boda economic empowerment forum at Matumbei Secondary School in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County, Wetang’ula said Kenyans should understand Ruto’s remarks on foreign traders within the context of Kenya’s regional integration commitments.
Wetang’ula said: “Kenya supports the free movement of people, goods and services among East African countries under regional agreements”
Wetang’ula said citizens from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo benefit from regional integration arrangements that allow them to cross borders and pursue opportunities.
“What the President wants and what we all want is that if a foreigner comes into the country, they must register with the relevant authorities so that we have a record of everyone who is in our country,” he said.
The Speaker said Kenya welcomes foreign investors but wants to prevent foreigners from taking over small-scale ventures that Kenyans can use to earn a living.
“What we welcome are investors, but not foreigners taking over small trade ventures such as hawking, which Kenyans can do,” he said.
Wetang’ula also defended Ruto’s Pan-Africanism, saying the President supports closer African integration and has backed measures aimed at making it easier for African citizens to enter Kenya.
He urged Kenyans not to interpret Ruto’s remarks as opposition to regional integration or foreign investment.
Endebess MP Robert Pukose defended Kenyans living in Uganda against what he described as profiling and threats over their participation in Kenyan elections.
Pukose said Kenyan citizens living in Uganda should not face intimidation because they have registered as voters with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“Nobody should issue threats to Kenyans living in Uganda against exercising their right to vote. They should feel free to move across,” Pukose said.
Pukose said Kenyans living across the border retain their right to participate in Kenya’s electoral process and should exercise that right without intimidation.
The forum brought together several Kenya Kwanza-aligned leaders, including President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UN-Habitat Susan Nakhumicha and Kiminini MP Kakai Bisau.
The leaders also rallied support for Ruto’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 General Election.
