Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is calling for retaliatory measures against Tanzania following a ban that blocks Kenyans and other foreigners from operating in 15 business sectors traditionally reserved for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Cherargei, on July 30, condemned the move by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, urging Nairobi to take similar steps against Tanzanian businesses and nationals operating in Kenya.
“H.E Suluhu 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,” Cherargei said in a statement.
“This is also courtesy of the bad behaviour of our activists recently in Tanzania by meddling in their affairs.”
Cherargei on Tanzanian Businesses in Kenya
He went further to demand retaliatory action from the Kenyan government, including banning Tanzanian businesses and even removing Tanzanian street beggars from Kenyan cities and towns.
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“The Kenyan government must retaliate by also banning Tanzanian businesses in Kenya including street beggars from Tanzania in our cities and towns.”
The remarks came a day after Tanzania announced new restrictions through Government Notice No. 487A, dated July 28, 2025.
The directive bars foreign nationals from obtaining or renewing licenses in 15 sectors, including retail trade, mobile money transfers, local tour guiding, and salon services.
Foreigners currently operating in the affected sectors will be allowed to continue only until their permits expire.
Reason for Tanzania Govt Ban on Kenyans
The Tanzanian government says the move is intended to protect local entrepreneurs and reshape domestic economic policy.
The move has drawn criticism for potentially violating the spirit of regional cooperation within the East African Community (EAC), which promotes free movement of goods, labour, and services among member states.
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The directive comes amid growing domestic complaints in Tanzania that foreign nationals, including Kenyans and Chinese, are taking over small-scale businesses, particularly in Dar es Salaam’s bustling Kariakoo market.
So far, the Kenyan government has not issued an official response.
The affected business categories include:
- Retail trade (excluding supermarkets)
- Mobile money services
- Electronics repair
- Hair salons (except in tourism)
- Cleaning services
- Small-scale mining
- Parcel delivery
- Local tour guiding
- Radio and TV station operations
- Curio shops and museums
- Real estate brokerage
- Clearing and forwarding services
- Crop purchasing on farms
- Gambling machine operations
- Micro and small industry ownership
Senator Cherargei’s comments show the growing friction between the two East African neighbors and could further complicate efforts to deepen regional integration.
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