Foreign nationals running small businesses in Kenya have been given a 90-day window to regularise their immigration, work permits, business registration and licensing status.

State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed announced the reprieve on Tuesday, September 8, saying the Government would use the period to conduct an orderly compliance exercise before enforcing the requirements more strictly.

Mohammed said anyone conducting business in Kenya must comply with immigration, work-permit, registration and licensing laws. The 90-day period is intended to give affected foreigners time to correct their status and bring their operations within the law.

The exercise will be coordinated by relevant Government agencies in consultation with the embassies of affected countries.

The move provides temporary relief for Burundians and other foreign nationals whose businesses or immigration documentation may not currently meet Kenyan requirements, while signalling tougher scrutiny once the 90-day grace period expires.