By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Nairobi, 8 September 2026 Kenya has warned foreigners working, trading or operating businesses without the required permits that they risk having their visas revoked, as the government moves to enforce rules governing foreign workers and businesses.
Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said in a statement dated Sept. 6 that visa-free entry or exemption from electronic travel authorisation requirements did not give foreigners the right to work, trade or operate businesses in Kenya.
The ministry said there had been deliberate misuse of visa applications by some visitors, with people entering the country under investor or tourist status and then engaging in activities outside the conditions of their admission.
“Owing to the high number of foreigners involved in the retail and local trade sectors, there is therefore a need to align their activities and ensure compliance with work permit provisions,” Kinyanjui said.
“Persons found in contravention of the applicable visa provisions will have their visas revoked in accordance with the law.”
Kenya introduced a visa-free entry regime for visitors from around the world in January 2024. In January 2025, it also removed electronic travel authorisation requirements for citizens of most African countries.
Related articles
The government said the policy had had a positive impact, particularly on tourism and investment, and that it would continue to implement it.
But Kinyanjui stressed that visa-free entry did not itself confer the right to employment, trade or business activities.
“Such activities remain subject to the applicable immigration, work permit and other regulatory requirements,” he said.
The clarification follows a government push to enforce restrictions on foreign nationals involved in small-scale retail and other local trading activities without the required permits.
Kenya said enforcement would be conducted in an orderly and transparent manner, in accordance with the law and in the spirit of the East African Community.
The government also said Kenya remained open to legitimate foreign investors and businesses that operate within the law and contribute to economic growth, job creation and development.