Explainer: Rights that EAC citizens have in Kenya
This explainer clarifies the rights of East African Community (EAC) citizens to live and work in Kenya following recent government pronouncements. It details the specific permits required for EAC nationals to operate small businesses legally.
Why it matters
It addresses legal and economic concerns for regional migrants and clarifies immigration policy in East Africa.
Kenyans has been hit by unease following a pronouncement by President William Ruto that foreign nationals be barred from operating micro and small enterprises in the country. The pronouncement particularly rattled nationals of East African Community (EAC) countries such as Burundi who have thronged into Kenya over the years.
The Business Daily reviews what it takes for EAC nationals to live, work or do business in Kenya.
Do EAC nationals need to pay for a work permit to engage in small-scale business in Kenya?
East African nationals do not require any fee to register for a work permit that allows them to engage in small-scale business in Kenya.
This applies to nationals from the eight partner states of the EAC: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
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