- Stakeholders have raised concerns that the government’s crackdown on foreign-owned small businesses could disrupt the education of school-going children in mixed-nationality families.
- They have warned that sudden loss of household income from business closures or deportations could make it difficult for parents to afford fees, uniforms, learning materials and transport.
- The stakeholders have called for dialogue, proper verification and closer cooperation among immigration authorities, county governments and security agencies to ensure enforcement is conducted fairly and peacefully.
The ongoing crackdown on foreigners operating small businesses in Kenya has raised concerns among stakeholders over its possible impact on families and the education of school-going children.
Stakeholders have called for a more flexible and balanced approach in enforcing immigration and business regulations, arguing that while the government has a responsibility to ensure all foreigners comply with Kenyan laws, enforcement should take into account the social and economic circumstances of affected families. They noted that many Kenyans with school-going children are married to foreigners engaged in small businesses across the country, and that the closure of such businesses or the detention and deportation of foreign spouses could therefore have a direct impact on families and the welfare of children who depend on them.
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The stakeholders said a sudden loss of household income could make it difficult for parents to meet essential education needs, including school fees, uniforms, learning materials, transport and meals. The concerns come amid increased scrutiny of foreign nationals engaging in small-scale businesses that may be restricted to Kenyan citizens or require specific licences and permits, with authorities urged to ensure that foreigners operating businesses comply with immigration, tax, licensing and other legal requirements.
However, stakeholders said enforcement should be carried out in a manner that protects the rights and welfare of families while addressing violations of the law. They also expressed concern that the crackdown has already turned violent in some towns, warning that confrontations between enforcement officers, foreign traders and members of the public could further complicate the situation.
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They called for dialogue and proper verification of the status of affected foreigners before punitive measures are taken, particularly where the individuals have established families in Kenya and have school-going children. A more flexible approach, they said, could allow those with genuine family ties and legal avenues to regularise their status to do so, while ensuring that those found to be operating businesses illegally are dealt with according to the law.
Education stakeholders further urged the government to consider the wider consequences of the crackdown on children, saying they should not become unintended victims of disputes over immigration and business regulations. They maintained that Kenya can enforce its laws while at the same time safeguarding family unity, public order and the right of children to continue with their education without unnecessary disruption. The stakeholders called for closer cooperation between immigration authorities, county governments, security agencies and other relevant institutions to ensure that enforcement is conducted peacefully, fairly and within the law.
By Our Reporter
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