Kenyan Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui has called for the removal of Tanzania's recent ban, warning that it could "hurt" both economies.
"In the spirit of the EAC, it is crucial that bilateral talks be held to resolve these issues," Kinyanjui stated in a press release on Wednesday.
Bernard Shinali, the chairman of the National Assembly's Trade Committee, also cautioned that the move could lead to retaliatory measures, as reported by Kenya's Daily Nation.
"There are many Tanzanians working in our mining sectors as well," Shinali was quoted saying. "It’s clear that Tanzania has gone too far, and we may need to reconsider our relationship with them."
Veteran Kenyan hotelier Mohammed Hersi expressed doubts about Tanzania’s decision to limit foreign employment. "Sometimes, it’s important to focus on the bigger picture… Protectionism will never help a country thrive," he said on social media platform X.
Many Kenyans echoed these concerns, with some describing the new policy as a significant setback to regional integration. "Tanzanians are involved in all kinds of small businesses in Kenya without any obstacles. Clearly, Tanzania has never truly committed to making the EAC work," one user posted on X.
Tanzania and Kenya have had periodic political and economic tensions. Tanzania's past imposition of protective tariffs and import bans has been met with criticism from regional partners.
In May, Kenya's Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi highlighted that around 250,000 Kenyans live, work, or do business in Tanzania, underscoring the importance of maintaining good relations between the two nations. This came in response to diplomatic tensions over Tanzania’s treatment of Kenyans attending opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s treason trial in Dar es Salaam. Several Kenyans were deported, while prominent activists Boniface Mwangi from Kenya and Agather Atuhaire from Uganda went missing, only to later be reported tortured and sexually abused.
With Tanzania set to hold general elections in October, the ruling CCM party is expected to maintain control.