Kenya eases travel requirements for nearly all African visitors

Kenya, in a recent cabinet directive, has announced a new policy that will allow citizens of nearly all African countries to visit without the need for prior authorization. This move comes after the criticism of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which replaced the visa requirement for all visitors.

The ETA, introduced last year, was deemed a “visa under another name” and was criticized for its limitations. Consequently, the cabinet has decided to drop the ETA for all African countries except Somalia and Libya, citing security concerns.

The new policy aims to support open skies policies and tourism growth, as well as promote regional integration and ease travel across the continent. Despite introducing the ETA, Kenya has now dropped 17 places in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index, ranking 46th out of 54 nations.

Several African countries have been making efforts to ease travel requirements for visitors from other parts of the continent in recent years. Studies have shown that citizens of Western countries often find it easier to travel to Africa than African citizens.

Earlier this year, Ghana announced that all African passport holders would now be able to visit without a visa. Rwanda has also eliminated visa requirements for African visitors.

The African Union (AU) is also pushing for the facilitation of travel within the continent.

Under the updated system, citizens of most African countries will be permitted to enter Kenya and stay ETA-free for up to two months. Members of the East African Community, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, will be allowed to stay for up to six months, aligning with the bloc’s policy.

Kenya has also announced plans to introduce an enhanced process that will allow travelers to receive approval instantly and a maximum processing time of 72 hours.

Kenya’s new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is set to take effect, but the exact timeline remains unclear. The cabinet has tasked several ministries with proposing guidelines within a week to enhance the “traveller experience at all Kenyan airports.”

Before the ETA’s introduction, visitors from over 40 countries, including several African nations, could enter Kenya without paying a fee. They could obtain a stamp in their passport and proceed without further formalities.

However, all travelers must now apply and pay for an ETA at least three days before their trip to Kenya, except for citizens of exempted countries. The ETA fee is $30 (approximately £24) and valid for 90 days.

The ETA policy has faced criticism, with some arguing that it could make it more challenging for potential visitors to come to Kenya. The government has defended the policy, citing security concerns. Kenya has been a target of al-Shabab jihadist militants from neighboring Somalia in several notorious attacks.

In response to these concerns, the government announced on Tuesday that it would also introduce a new system aimed at enhancing “pre-screening, strengthening security, and streamlining passenger processing at entry points.”