Kenya’s Interior Secretary Fred Matiang’i has deported 7 Chinese nationals who were found to have been trading illegally in Gikomba market.
The discovery was made after an exclusive Business Daily story which revealed the presence of Chinese merchants in the Kenya’s biggest second-hand clothes market.
A statement from the Interior Ministry stated that “Foreigners suspected to have been illegally engaging in business in Kenya were arrested yesterday during a raid on Gikomba. Seven Chinese nationals were found to have flouted immigration rules. Officers established that three of them had no valid work permits while the other four have been engaging in employment and other income generating activities unauthorised under their respective work permit classes,”.
“Consequently, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of immigration has signed deportation orders as recommended by law.”
Locals had cried out regarding stiff competition from foreigners in retail businesses located in Gikomba, Kamukunji and Nyamakima markets, which are key entry points for second-hand clothes as well as cheap Chinese electronic and kitchenware imports.
The Chinese traders in Gikomba primarily sell second-hand clothes, carpets and shoes which have been sourced from China and stored in Industrial Area and also along Mombasa Road.
Kenya’s immigration laws, offers easy access to investment certificates which foreigners use to set up businesses locally.
The Investment Promotion Act 2004 requires that foreign investment must be beneficial to the country in promoting acquisition of new skills and promoting use of local resources.
