TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, and climate reporting, which offers deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Kenyans have expressed different views after the government announced closure of companies in 2025.

Investment PS Abubakar Hassan and Trade CS Salim Mvurya speaking at a past event. Photo: Salim Mvurya. Source: Twitter

President William Ruto’s administration dissolved the 202 companies in a gazette notice number 95, dated December 11, 2024.

Why Ruto’s govt dissolve companies

Registrar of Companies Joyce Koech, the Business Registration Service, listed the companies that have been shut down, issuing a three-month notice for 115 companies to be dissolved.

Koech urged the company owners to act swiftly and show cause why their firms should not be dissolved in the three months.

However, the state corporation did not explain the reason behind the dissolution of these companies, causing a debate among Kenyans.

What Kenyans said about govt closure of companies

Some criticised the government for advocating foreign jobs instead of safeguarding local jobs through a sustainable business environment.

@Banks_Banksg said:

“MBELE IKO SAWA !! has become the anthem of Ruto’s regime, the Labour Ministry, now rebranded into a premier job brokerage agency.”

@C_Roiginson argued:

“Effects of haphazard finance policies under KK catalyzed by IMF Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs).”

@HseTonny asked:

“When the environment is not conducive for doing business what do you expect? “

@kamau_waRally claimed:

“These are mainly dormant companies that have not filed their returns, and the registrar is striking them off the register – note the 90-day notice of intended striking off.”

@djdougze noted:

“Yet the executive arm of the government claims the economy is doing well and has stabilised.”

@elmarcadoazul said:

“Eeeiy, Sad situation man! Comrades let’s keep learning skills like Programming, Data Analysis, Digital marketing, Web Development, Copywriting, and Graphic Design.”

@SilkRoadKenya wondered:

“I am not shocked. Where the political class wants to do business themselves instead of creating good policies for everyone.”

@alinory_KWENA alleged:

“It’s instructive to note that some of these companies were forced to shut because of their serious involvement in businesses arguably considered to either be illegal, or threats to national security and or economy! Some companies just rebranded and “rebirthed” accordingly.”

@HseTonny said:

“KPIs are indicating that the economy is not doing well, but we are told otherwise. Given the example of the price of Unga, which has been factored by the good rains we have experienced, if we continue with this trajectory, our country will fall into economic recession.”

@githiori argued:

“The little disposal income companies had is being drained to KRA, and employers are suffering increased remittances ( SHA & housing levy). Sad that all this is sponsor swanky lifestyles for the political elites.”