Kenya removes visa requirements for Africans, sidelines Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya - The government of Kenya announced the removal of Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) and visa requirements for visitors from African countries but failed to order the same for Somalia and Libya which are also in Africa.

After a cabinet meeting in Kakamega, the western part of Kenya which was chaired by President William Ruto, the government outlined its readiness to reform the immigration department for the benefit of visitors from the African countries.

Somalia was omitted due to security concerns just like Libya which is found in northern Africa. While Libya is struggling to rebuild after the ouster of Muhammad Gaddafi, Somalia is battling the resurgence of the Al-Shabaab and ISIS militants.

The move aims to bolster regional integration and promote tourism growth across the continent, a cabinet dispatch read, shortly after the meeting was concluded, giving the ministries of Interior and Tourism the mandate to restructure travel protocols.

African visitors will now enjoy a two-month stay, while East African Community (EAC) nationals will retain the privilege of a six-month stay under existing free movement protocols, Capital FM reports.

To streamline the entry process, Kenya will introduce expedited eTA processing, enabling instant approvals with a maximum turnaround time of 72 hours. In addition, the adoption of an Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record system is expected to enhance security and expedite passenger clearance at airports.

The Cabinet has directed the Ministries of National Treasury, Transport, Interior, and Tourism to devise comprehensive guidelines to improve traveler experiences at Kenyan airports within a week.

Kenya has invested immensely in Somalia’s security, deploying several Kenya Defence Forces troops in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The soldiers are credited for liberating several strategic towns in Jubaland state.

GAROWE ONLINE