Kenya’s President William Ruto says foreign nationals can establish businesses and take up employment in the country as long as they comply with local laws, days after he ordered an anti-immigrant crackdown that sparked a backlash.

The president said on Saturday that the country is open for business and investment, warning Kenyans against targeting foreign nationals operating small businesses in the country.

He cited the country’s membership in regional blocs that promote free movement of people and capital.

"They are free to work in Kenya within the rules that are provided for in Kenya so that we can together be able to grow our region," the president said in remarks during a ground-breaking ceremony for a hospital being built by a Tanzanian conglomerate.

"We will continue to be an open society because that is the DNA of Kenya,” he added.

Burundians flock embassy

Last week Ruto said foreigners were not allowed to be hawkers or run small shops, and gave them until Monday to cease activity. The order saw hundreds of Burundians flock to their embassy, seeking a return home.

Critics accused Ruto of blaming foreigners for Kenya's economic difficulties ahead of elections next year.

Kenyan government has since clarified that the directive did not amount to a blanket ban on foreign traders. It has given foreigners running businesses in the country 90 days to obtain or update required documents, including work permits and business licenses

Korir Sing’oei, permanent secretary in the Foreign Ministry, apologized for the misrepresentation of the president’s directive, saying the registration exercise was also aimed at protecting foreigners.