Also known as: Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui · Former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui · Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui · Industry, Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui · Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui · Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) Lee Kinyanjui · the trade CS
Trade Cabinet Secretary cautioning foreign nationals against misusing Kenya's visa-free entry regime for work and trade without required permits.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
… That is where the problem becomes bigger than enforcement.During a recent conversation with Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui on counterfeits, he said illicit trade denies government revenue, hurts legitimate businesses and can ultimately force compa …
When illicit becomes normalisedThe Standard
… Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui later said foreigners engaging in employment, retail or other commercial activities must comply with immigration, work permit and other regulatory requirements. …
Visa-free entry is not a work pass: India warns nationals in MalaysiaThe Standard
… assava, poultry, mango and fish processing with the county officials present stating that everything possible was being done to complete as per the schedule.The Senate Committee resolved to convene a consultative meeting bringing together the Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui …
Senators raise concern over Sh500 million Kilifi Industrial park projectCitizen Digital
… Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui also warned Kenyans against xenophobic behaviour, while Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei sought to reassure the Burundian community in Kenya. …
Roadside declarations: How Ruto's remarks fuel public confusionCitizen Digital
… Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said plainly that visa-free entry does not by itself confer the right to engage in employment, trade or business in Kenya, and that such activity remains subject to immigration, work-permit and licensing rules regardless of how someone entere …
Explainer: What East Africans need to enter, live and trade in KenyaCitizen Digital
Visa-free entry does not mean a free pass to trade, CS Kinyanjui tells foreigners By Serfine Achieng September 07, 2026 08:27 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Ki …
Visa-free entry does not mean a free pass to trade, CS Kinyanjui tells foreignersCitizen Digital
… Ruto has directed his Trade Cabinet Secretary, Lee Kinyanjui and the National Assembly's Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wa, to fast-track legislation reserving certain businesses for Kenyan citizens, saying the government would act administratively rather than wait on Parliament. …
From Tata Chemicals to foreign hawkers; Ruto’s ‘pack and go’ order causes regional jittersCitizen Digital
Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui cites misuse of visa-free entry rules amid crackdown on foreign hawkers By Moses Kinyanjui September 07, 2026 08:20 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanj …
Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui cites misuse of visa-free entry rules amid crackdown on foreign hawkersCapital News
… In a press statement issued by the Ministry, Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said Kenya remains open to legitimate investors and businesses but insisted that foreigners must comply with immigration, work permit and other regulatory requirements. …
Kenya Warns Foreigners: Visa-Free Entry Does Not Allow You to Work or TradeThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeTrade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has warned that Visa-free entry into Kenya does not give foreign nationals the right to work, trade or operate businesses in the country. …
Get a valid work permit or risk visa revocation, Kenya warns foreignersThe Anti-Counterfeit Authority reports that Kenya loses more than Sh153 billion annually to counterfeit trade in health, agriculture, electronics, and automotive sectors. The article notes that illicit trade is becoming normalised in everyday economic life, as consumers knowingly or unknowingly purchase counterfeit goods.
22 September 2026 · The Standard →
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority reports that Kenya loses more than Sh153 billion annually to counterfeit trade in health, agriculture, electronics, and automotive sectors. The article notes that illicit trade is becoming normalised in everyday economic life, as consumers knowingly or unknowingly purchase counterfeit goods.
22 September 2026 · The Standard →
India's High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has warned Indian nationals against using Malaysia's 30-day visa-free entry to seek employment, saying the facility is for tourism and social visits only. The commission cautioned that unscrupulous agents are misleading travellers with false job promises, leaving them at risk of overstaying, illegal status, and exploitation.
22 September 2026 · The Standard →
The Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism has raised concerns over the implementation of the Sh500 million County Aggregated Industrial Park in Kilifi County, with senators questioning how the project could proceed without a prior feasibility assessment and cautioning against a uniform design model across counties.
22 September 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto's recent public remarks, including a directive that triggered anxiety among Burundian nationals and statements on tax thresholds for traders, have sparked confusion and forced government officials into damage-control mode.
9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto ordered unlicensed foreign businesses to shut down by September 7, sparking panic among foreign nationals and embassy queue-ups. The government later clarified the order was not a blanket ban on foreign traders and opened temporary registration.
9 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui warned foreign nationals that Kenya's visa-free entry regime does not authorise work and trade without required permits, while cautioning Kenyans against taking the law into their own hands as the government enforces a crackdown on foreign hawkers and small-scale traders.
7 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto has issued ultimatums targeting both Tata Chemicals and regional nationals engaged in small-scale street trading, with both groups ordered to justify their economic presence or leave Kenya. The moves reflect a broader "economic sovereignty" theme as the administration faces public frustration over jobs, cost of living, and unfulfilled promises ahead of elections.
7 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has cited misuse of visa-free entry regulations introduced in January 2024 by foreigners engaging in unlawful retail and local trade, stating that visitors under tourist visas must comply with work permit provisions and those found in contravention will have their visas revoked.
7 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry has clarified that visa-free entry, introduced in January 2024 and expanded in January 2025 to remove eTA requirements for most African citizens, does not automatically grant foreigners permission to work, trade or operate businesses; the Ministry stressed that foreigners must comply with immigration, work permit and regulatory requirements.
7 September 2026 · Capital News →
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has cautioned that visa-free entry into Kenya does not authorize foreign nationals to work, trade, or operate businesses in the country. The government has detected cases of foreigners misusing tourist and investor status to engage in activities outside their immigration permits, particularly in retail and local trade sectors, and emphasizes compliance with work permit requirements.
7 September 2026 · The Standard →
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said Kenya cannot meet its domestic milk demand and is forced to import milk from neighbouring countries including Uganda. He called for increased support to farmers to boost local production and achieve self-sufficiency.
5 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President Trump signed legislation extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act through December 31, 2028. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary said the extension provides certainty for exporters and manufacturers and noted the textile and apparel sector supports more than 66,000 direct jobs.
4 September 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya and other African countries are pushing for harmonised standards and single testing of goods to boost intra-Africa trade, but slow adoption by only a handful of nations has made exports and imports difficult across the continent, raising trade costs and creating non-tariff barriers under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
29 August 2026 · The Standard →
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that eight County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) in Embu, Meru, Wajir, Garissa, Kirinyaga, Busia, Kisii and Migori counties are set for commissioning before the end of the year. The parks are intended to support produce aggregation, value addition and small-scale manufacturing.
26 August 2026 · Capital News →
Deputy President Kindiki said the government is speeding up completion of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across the country, with eight in Embu, Meru, Wajir, Garissa, Kirinyaga, Busia, Kisii and Migori nearing completion for commissioning by year-end, to catalyse Kenya's industrialization through value addition and manufacturing.
26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Residents and leaders in Karaini village have raised alarm over a man accused of sexually harassing women and traders, issuing death threats, and other offences over four months. Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari has publicly called on security agencies to take action against the accused man.
14 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The US Senate has approved a two-year, four-month extension of the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act, allowing duty-free access for eligible Sub-Saharan African exports through December 31, 2028. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry said the extension provides predictability for manufacturers and protects the apparel sector, which represents 70 per cent of Kenya's total exports to the United States.
14 August 2026 · The Standard →
Milly Glass SEZ Ltd plans to establish Africa's first pharmaceutical glass bottle manufacturing plant in Mombasa's Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone on 15 acres, targeting production of 300,000 amber bottles monthly by July 2027, but slow infrastructure rollout continues to delay large-scale private investment in the zone.
6 August 2026 · The Standard →
Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has urged private companies to list on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, saying it would unlock access to long-term capital and support business expansion, while offering benefits including increased liquidity, tax incentives, and improved corporate governance.
11 July 2026 · Capital News →
At the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and former US Secretary of State John Kerry warned that countries risk missing the goal of protecting 30 per cent of oceans by 2030, calling on governments and stakeholders to translate promises into meaningful action to reverse environmental degradation.
18 June 2026 · The Standard →
Deputy President Kindiki opened the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, affirming the government's commitment to preserve Kenya's ocean for economic growth and future generations. President Ruto highlighted in a video-link address that the ocean powers industries and feeds families but faces threats including global warming, plastic pollution, and illegal fishing.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto arrived in Helsinki for a two-day state visit focused on strengthening bilateral relations, trade, investment, technology partnerships, and cooperation in clean energy and sustainable development. During his preceding Norway visit, Ruto met with Norwegian officials and businesses to advance Kenya-Norway cooperation on shipping, blue economy, and sovereign wealth fund management, resulting in Norwegian firms' commitment to recruit 120 Kenyan seafarers by end-of-year and 1,000 more by 2030.
10 June 2026 · Capital News →
President Ruto told Norwegian investors at a business forum in Oslo that Kenya offers clean energy, regional connectivity, and a young workforce as an attractive investment hub for expanding across Africa. The two countries are deepening cooperation in electric mobility, the blue economy, and fisheries, with bilateral trade currently at $54 million in 2025 but targeted to reach $500 million.
10 June 2026 · Capital News →
President Ruto told Norwegian business leaders at a forum in Oslo that Kenya offers a young workforce, strategic continental location, and clean energy systems, while highlighting Norway's expertise in clean energy, maritime technology, and sustainable fisheries as complementary strengths for partnership.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The International Flower Trade Expo 2026, held in Nairobi under the theme "Shaping the Future of Floriculture," attracted over 210 exhibitors and hundreds of international buyers. The event featured a striking butterfly floral installation by Sosiani Flowers that became a popular photo backdrop.
6 June 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto pledged to deepen economic, diplomatic, and strategic ties with South Africa during a State Visit to Pretoria, saying the two nations are key players in elevating Africa's voice on the global stage and positioning themselves as drivers of Africa's transformation.
4 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The national and county governments have signed a Ksh.4 billion agreement on the second phase of establishing 16 County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs). President William Ruto said the government has already disbursed Ksh.8.5 billion for CAIPs and is investing an additional Ksh.2.4 billion in common user facilities to support industrialisation and economic transformation.
28 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Experts at World Metrology Day 2026 commemoration warned that unreliable measurement systems in everyday products like bread, meat, and fuel lead to unfair trade, weak policies, and loss of public trust. Trusted, accurate measurements are essential for sound governance, market fairness, and strengthening economies across health, agriculture, energy, and consumer protection sectors.
23 May 2026 · The Standard →
Presidents William Ruto and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev agreed to translate trade and investment ties into concrete commercial partnerships during a business forum, laying out a roadmap for cooperation in trade, energy, logistics and technology.
20 May 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya and Kazakhstan have signed bilateral agreements during President William Ruto's State Visit to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, with the agreements positioning Kenya as Kazakhstan's anchor nation in East and Central Africa and Kazakhstan as Kenya's gateway to Central Asia.
20 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →