Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has asked the government to ban Tanzanian businesses in Kenya in response to Tanzania’s recent move to block Kenyans from starting some businesses in the neighbouring state.
In the statement on Wednesday, July 30, Cherargei called on President William Ruto’s government to take action by also banning Tanzanian businesses operating in Kenya.
He also suggested that street beggars from Tanzania be removed from Kenyan cities and towns.
“The Kenyan government must retaliate by also banning Tanzanian businesses in Kenya, including street beggars from Tanzania in our cities and towns,” he stated.
He urged the Tanzanian government to reconsider its decision since the ban could hurt the East African Community (EAC) integration process.
“H.E. Suluhu’s government should reconsider its ban on Kenya’s businesses because Kenya is one of Tanzania’s key business partners. This ban could hurt the East African Community (EAC) integration process and break EAC trade agreements,” Cherargei said.
Cherargei’s remarks follow Tanzania’s decision to block foreigners from conducting 15 types of small and medium-sized businesses within its borders.
This action has affected many Kenyan businesspeople already operating or hoping to start businesses in Tanzania. The restrictions were announced by Tanzania’s Minister for Industry and Trade, Selemani Saidi Jafo, and they touch on several key sectors.
These include mining, tourism, agriculture, environment, and technology.
Some of the businesses now blocked include salon operations unless they are inside hotels or for tourism purposes, home and office cleaning services, environmental sanitation, mobile money transfer services, and repair of mobile phones and other electronic gadgets.
Small-scale mining activities and any kind of involvement in crop purchasing or farming by foreigners have also been banned.
The list extends further to include postal and parcel delivery services, tour guiding, the setting up or running of radio and TV stations, curio shops, museums, and even broking services in real estate and other businesses.
Foreigners are also no longer allowed to own or operate gambling machines unless they are in casinos. Ownership or running of micro and small industries is also prohibited.
According to the notice issued, those who already have valid licences for any of these activities can continue until their current licence expires, but they will not be renewed or allowed to operate after that.
“Upon coming into effect of this Order, a non-citizen who holds a valid licence in respect of any of the business activities specified in the Schedule shall continue carrying out such activity up to such time when the licence expires,” the notice read.
This move has raised concerns about the future of regional trade and cooperation within the East African Community.
Cherargei’s call for a reciprocal response highlights growing tensions between the two countries and may signal a deeper strain in regional relations if no diplomatic resolution is found.
