Kenya must respond to Tanzania business ban, Senator Cherargei  

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has urged the Kenyan government to take firm diplomatic and economic countermeasures in response to a recent directive by the Tanzanian government that has banned foreign nationals from conducting business within its borders.
The move, which has ignited fresh diplomatic friction between Nairobi and Dodoma, is being viewed by many observers as a setback to East African regional integration.
In a strongly-worded statement posted on his verified X account on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, Senator Cherargei described the decision by President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration as “hostile” and contrary to the spirit of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol.
“H.E. Suluhu’s government should reconsider its ban on Kenya’s businesses. Kenya is one of Tanzania’s critical business partners, and such a move will undermine the East African Community (EAC) integration process through EAC trade protocols,” Cherargei stated.
The Tanzanian directive, which restricts foreign citizens Kenyans included from engaging in small and medium-scale business activities in the country, has drawn sharp criticism from regional stakeholders and sparked a debate on the future of economic cooperation within the EAC bloc.
Undermining spirit of integration
Both Kenya and Tanzania are founding members of the EAC, an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour among its member states. The Common Market Protocol, signed in 2009, is central to this agenda, encouraging open trade and harmonised economic policy across borders.
Kenya and Tanzania share a long and complex history, often marked by strong economic interdependence but also periodic diplomatic tensions. Kenya exports a wide range of manufactured goods, processed food, and machinery to Tanzania. In return, Tanzania is a key supplier of agricultural produce, minerals, and livestock to the Kenyan market. Border towns such as Namanga, Taveta, and Isebania host thousands of cross-border traders whose livelihoods depend on uninterrupted trade flows.
“This decision goes against the principles of cooperation and economic freedom. It undermines years of progress made under the EAC framework,” said a senior regional policy analyst at the East African Business Council (EABC), speaking on background.
Kenya urged to retaliate
Senator Cherargei’s remarks are not just a warning; they represent a growing chorus among Kenyan legislators who feel the country has often taken a passive stance in regional disputes, to the detriment of its citizens and economic interests.
“The Kenyan government must retaliate by also banning Tanzanian businesses in Kenya, including street beggars from Tanzania in our cities and towns,” Cherargei urged.
While his comments on Tanzanian nationals in Kenya, particularly those engaged in informal activities, may spark diplomatic unease, they reflect frustration over what many Kenyan leaders see as an uneven playing field in bilateral relations.
Cherargei also pointed to recent actions by Kenyan activists in Tanzania, which he claimed may have worsened the situation.
“This is also courtesy of the bad behaviour of our activists recently in Tanzania by meddling in their affairs,” he added, though he did not elaborate on the specific incidents.
Pattern of trade tensions
This is not the first time Kenya and Tanzania have locked horns over trade issues. Past disputes have ranged from import bans and tariffs to non-tariff barriers affecting dairy, poultry, sugar, and fuel products. In some cases, border closures and administrative delays have severely impacted cross-border businesses.
Efforts to harmonise policies and resolve trade disputes through the EAC framework have seen limited success, often hampered by nationalistic interests and bureaucratic inertia. The current standoff may reignite debates over the efficacy of the EAC and the commitment of member states to honour regional agreements.
The business community, particularly those operating in cross-border commerce, has expressed concern over the chilling effect such diplomatic rows may have on investment and trade.
“When politicians play hardball, it’s the small trader who suffers. We need dialogue, not threats,” said Mwangi Njuguna, a trader operating between Nairobi and Arusha.
Kenya’s regional strategy test
Senator Cherargei’s call for reciprocal measures is expected to put pressure on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kenya’s EAC Affairs Ministry to respond. While the government has yet to issue an official statement, diplomatic insiders say consultations are underway at the highest levels.
Whether Kenya opts for a tit-for-tat strategy or seeks a diplomatic resolution through regional mechanisms remains to be seen. However, analysts warn that failure to respond effectively could embolden similar actions from neighbouring states in the future.
“It is time Kenya stops playing nice when its citizens and businesses are being targeted unfairly,” Cherargei said in conclusion, calling on Parliament and the executive to defend Kenya’s economic interests with the same vigour shown in other international engagements.
As the region watches closely, the outcome of this diplomatic standoff will likely shape the tone of Kenya–Tanzania relations for months to come, and could redefine the boundaries of regional cooperation within the East African Community.