The government has defended the free movement of people and trade within the East African Community (EAC).
Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Susan Mang’eni said Kenya remains committed to regional integration.
She also dismissed reports that the government had given foreign small-scale traders an ultimatum to leave Kenya.
Government denies trader ultimatum
Mang’eni described the reports as propaganda meant to create tension between Kenya and traders from neighbouring EAC countries.
She said Kenya has not issued such an ultimatum.
“There was nothing like that,” Mang’eni said while addressing concerns about foreign traders operating in Kenya.
According to the PS, Kenya remains bound by EAC agreements that allow people and businesses to move across member states.
“We have trade protocols that we have agreed on. We know very well that there is free movement of people,” she said.
Kenya seeks more regional trade
Meanwhile, the government wants Kenyan businesses to make better use of opportunities created by EAC integration.
More than 500 Kenyan MSMEs are expected to attend the East Africa MSME Trade Fair in Kigali, Rwanda.
The event will run from late October to the first week of November.
Mang’eni said her ministry will lead the Kenyan delegation to the trade fair.
She explained that the move will help local businesses find new markets and build stronger trade links across the region.
EAC market now covers over 300 million people
Mang’eni also highlighted the growth of the EAC.
The regional bloc initially brought together Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It has since expanded to eight member states.
As a result, the EAC now provides access to a market of more than 300 million people.
Mang’eni said Kenya cannot afford to reverse its support for regional integration.
She added that Kenya needs both local and international markets to maintain economic growth.
“You cannot be such a huge economy if you don’t also work out markets within your borders and outside your borders,” she said.
Foreign traders linked to local suppliers
The PS also addressed concerns about foreign traders competing with Kenyan businesses.
She said some foreign traders support local supply chains by buying products from Kenyan suppliers.
For example, Mang’eni said some traders selling groundnuts in Kenya buy the products locally instead of importing them.
“They are buying groundnuts from here,” she said.
However, she maintained that the government will continue addressing business practices that may disadvantage local enterprises.
She said authorities will use appropriate laws and regulations to deal with such concerns.
Kenya maintains support for EAC integration
Mang’eni said Kenya remains an open and liberal economy.
She added that the country respects the regional agreements it has signed.
“We cannot be big on global trade when we also try to frustrate trade within our own region,” she said.
Therefore, the government believes deeper EAC integration can help Kenyan entrepreneurs access more customers and markets.
It can also strengthen MSMEs and support Kenya’s position as a major trade hub in the region.
