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Kenya’s recent decision to offer visa-free entry to all foreigners has stirred controversy. Critics of this policy term it as hectic and ill-conceived. President William Ruto introduced the policy last month to promote visa-free travel in Africa
Kenya’s recent decision to offer visa-free entry to all foreigners has stirred controversy. Critics of this policy term it as hectic and ill-conceived. President William Ruto introduced the policy last month to promote visa-free travel within Africa.
The Kenyan authorities clarified that despite the visa-free entry, visitors must obtain electronic travel authorisation (ETA) by submitting documents and paying a US$30 (£23) processing fee. This requirement now applies even to citizens of countries that previously enjoyed unrestricted access to Kenya. As of 7th January, more than 9,000 visa applications have been received through the digital platform, according to authorities.
Foreigners are expressing dissatisfaction with the policy, claiming the new it has caused confusion and caused difficulties and increased the cost of travelling to Kenya. Travellers say that although it is a visa-free regime, the move has increased the cost of travelling. They maintain that Kenya might have removed visas for everyone: but everyone has to pay a US$30 travel authorisation fee 72 hours before travel.
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Tour companies fear that these stricter restrictions might lead to a boycott by some foreigners or reciprocal restrictions from other countries. Of late, Kenya has been focusing on tourism promotion as a means to beef up its foreign exchange remittances.
