By GPC Reporter
Green Congress Kenya party leader Hilary Alila has criticised the Government’s 90-day window for foreign traders to regularise their status.
He said the move fails to give Kenyan traders the certainty they need to protect their livelihoods.
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Alila welcomed President William Ruto’s recognition of concerns raised by Kenyan traders over the growing participation of foreign nationals in small-scale trade and informal businesses, but questioned the Government’s decision to rely on a proposed expansion of the Local Content Bill, 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, Alila said the Government’s announcement amounted to a directive rather than a concrete solution to the concerns raised by local traders.
“My objection is straightforward: This is a directive, not a decision,” Alila said.
President Ruto has directed that the Local Content Bill, 2025, currently before Parliament, be expanded to create a framework governing foreign participation in small-scale trade and enterprise.
The Government has also announced a 90-day regularisation window for foreign nationals to comply with immigration, work permit, business registration and licensing requirements.
Alila, however, argued that the proposed legislative changes offered no immediate certainty to Kenyan traders whose livelihoods depend on small businesses.
“The President has only instructed that the Local Content Bill, 2025 be expanded — a bill that remains before Parliament with no stated timeline,” he said.
He said traders had raised the issue a week earlier and should not be subjected to another period of waiting for Government action.
“Traders raised this concern a week ago. They deserve certainty, not another cycle of ‘under consideration,’” Alila said.
Regularisation window
The Green Congress Kenya leader also criticised the 90-day regularisation period announced by State House, arguing that existing laws already provide requirements governing work permits, business registration and licensing.
He questioned whether extending the period before enforcement would encourage compliance or simply prolong the problem.
“A 90-day regularisation window rewards delay,” Alila said. “The laws on work permits, registration and licensing already exist.”
The Government has said the 90-day exercise will give foreign nationals an opportunity to regularise their immigration status and business operations, with relevant agencies working in consultation with affected countries’ embassies.
At the end of the period, the existing requirements will be enforced in accordance with the law and due process.
Alila also raised questions about what would happen once the 90-day window expires.
“Who verifies compliance once the 90 days lapse?” he asked, adding that Kenyan traders also needed to know what recourse would be available if enforcement once again stalled.
County-level consultations
Alila further criticised the Government for what he described as inadequate consultation with traders and local stakeholders at the county level.
“Locals were not in the room,” he said, arguing that the issue was being felt most acutely in markets, small kiosks and other informal trading spaces.
He called for direct consultations with county-level trader associations, specifically mentioning Kisumu, where he is based.
Green Congress Kenya is now calling for a clear timeline for amendments to the Local Content Bill, direct engagement with local trader associations and the establishment of a public accountability mechanism to track implementation after the 90-day period.
The proposed expansion of the Local Content Bill is significant because the legislation is currently before Parliament and was initially designed to create a framework for local participation in the economy, including requirements for foreign companies to source goods, services and workers locally.
Despite his criticism of the Government’s approach, Alila said his party opposed harassment, intimidation or violence against foreign nationals lawfully present in Kenya.
“I stand firmly against harassment, intimidation or violence directed at any person lawfully present in Kenya — that line is not negotiable,” he said.
His comments come amid heightened anxiety among some foreign traders following the Government’s crackdown, with hundreds of Burundians seeking documentation at their embassy in Nairobi amid fears about their businesses and safety.
The Government has repeatedly said the measures are not intended to target foreign nationals unlawfully and has warned individuals against harassment, intimidation, discrimination or violence.
State House has maintained that Kenya will continue to protect foreigners who are lawfully resident, employed, investing or conducting business in the country.
Alila said protecting foreign nationals, however, should not delay measures aimed at safeguarding Kenyan traders.
“But protecting the rights of foreign nationals cannot become an excuse to delay protecting the livelihoods of Kenyan traders once again,” he said.
