Kenya's Foreign Hawker Crackdown Turns to Tribal Accusations

In early September, President William Ruto directed authorities to shut down small retail and hawking businesses run by foreign nationals starting September 7, reserving such low-capital work for Kenyans while allowing larger job-creating investments.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei noted in parliament that people from Mount Kenya benefit most from hawking yet oppose the move against foreigners, prompting online users to accuse him of shifting from xenophobia to tribal blame.

Reactions highlight skepticism over economic motives, with some defending rule of law and others pointing to ethnic tensions amid East African ties, as foreign traders like Burundians seek documentation amid uncertainty.