Kenyan President William Ruto has issued a directive targeting foreign-owned small businesses, causing anxiety among traders across East Africa, particularly Ugandans operating in Kenya. According to NTV Kenya, civil society organisations have challenged the move as unconstitutional. Commentator Kiwala Caroline Tahir, writing for Watchdog Uganda, argues the directive should serve as a wake-up call for Uganda to strengthen its domestic business environment so that its traders can build sustainable enterprises at home rather than depending on opportunities abroad.

Kenyan President William Ruto has backed the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to settle disagreements between national and county governments. According to Ruto, disputes involving roads, water, infrastructure, land and health are increasingly being resolved through ADR, giving the two levels of government a way to settle disagreements without lengthy and costly court processes. He said the approach helps reduce litigation expenses and speeds up resolution of intergovernmental conflicts.

Kenya Airways is facing a federal lawsuit in New York from an aviation parts distributor over Sh129 million in unpaid debts. This lawsuit highlights the airline's financial struggles, which include Sh206.8 billion in accumulated losses and Sh131.4 billion in government debt that it cannot service. The situation has led to a lack of suppliers willing to continue business with the airline, which is also dealing with operational uncertainties flagged by its auditors.

The Kenyan government has denied a report by French newspaper Le Monde alleging that President William Ruto ordered foreign nationals to close small businesses across the country. Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing'Oei said the President's remarks were taken out of context, explaining they were made during discussions on the Local Content Bill, 2025, currently under parliamentary review. In a post on X, Sing'Oei assured that foreign traders and workers complying with Kenyan laws may continue operating.

The Kenyan government has clarified President William Ruto's directive targeting foreigners engaged in small-scale businesses. Government spokesperson Charles Owino said on September 7 that the measures aim to regulate informal trade and protect local livelihoods, not to ban East African nationals from the country. According to the government, the core intent is to protect vulnerable sectors of the economy rather than exclude foreign traders entirely.

A coalition of approximately 60 Ugandan subcontractors has requested an emergency administrative stay from the Finance Minister due to a $9.7 million payment dispute related to the Tilenga oil project’s worker camp. The subcontractors claim they are unable to meet an upcoming tax amnesty deadline because their capital is frozen amid the unresolved payment issues.