UDA Senator Demands Action Against Tanzania After Ban on Foreign Small Businesses

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called on the Kenyan government to take retaliatory action against Tanzania following its recent move to ban foreigners from running small businesses in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, July 30, Cherargei said Tanzania’s decision is not only harmful to Kenyan businesses but also a direct threat to the spirit of regional cooperation under the East African Community (EAC).

"President Samia Suluhu's government should reconsider its banning of Kenya's businesses because Kenya is one of the critical business partners, and it will undermine the East Africa Community (EAC) integration process through EAC trade protocols," he said.

With Tanzania's move sparking mixed reactions, Cherargei now wants Kenya to retaliate by banning Tanzanian businesses in Kenya.

"The Kenyan government must retaliate by also banning Tanzanian businesses in Kenya, including street beggars from Tanzania in our cities and towns,” he added.

In a notice on Monday, July 28, the government of Tanzania introduced a new directive prohibiting foreign nationals from engaging in a wide range of small business activities within the country.

According to the document, the list of prohibited businesses include the sale of goods in retail stores and total trade, with exceptions only for superstores, specialised product outlets, and wholesale centres for local producers. 

Non-citizens are also barred from engaging in mobile money transfer services, as well as the repair of mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Salon businesses are restricted unless they are located within hotels or serve tourism-related purposes. 

Similarly, non-citizens cannot engage in home, office, or environmental cleaning services.

Postal services and parcel delivery operations within the country are restricted, along with tour guiding services conducted locally. 

Mobile food vending, repair and maintenance of radios and televisions are also on the list of banned ventures.

Other prohibited areas include the operation of motorcade or car hire services, brokerage in motor vehicles and real estate, and running advertising agencies. 

On-farm crop purchasing operations are also reserved for locals.

Additionally, non-citizens are not allowed to provide entertainment and gaming machines or devices, except when these are located within licensed casino premises. 

Finally, the ownership and operation of micro and small industries are exclusively reserved for citizens.

According to this policy, only foreigners who already possessed valid licences before the issuance of the notice are allowed to continue operating these businesses until their licences expire.