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Kenya will allow citizens from almost all African countries to visit without prior authorization, according to a new cabinet directive.
Last year, Kenya introduced a “visa-free” policy that required most visitors to apply for authorization online before leaving their country.
But the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which replaced the visa requirement for all visitors, was criticized as a “visa by another name”.
On Tuesday, a cabinet statement said ETA would be abandoned for “all African countries except Somalia and Libya, due to security concerns.”
He said this was part of “efforts to support open skies policies and tourism growth” and “promote regional integration and facilitate travel across the continent.”
Despite introducing the ETA, Kenya fared worse in the latest rankings on its openness to visitors, falling 17 places to 46th out of 54 countries in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index.
Several African countries have tried to ease travel requirements for visitors from other parts of the continent in recent years, and studies show that it is often easier for citizens of Western countries to visit.
Earlier this year, Ghana said all African passport holders Now you could visit it without needing a visa. African visitors to Rwanda also do not need a visa to enter the country.
The African Union (AU) is also pushing the measure to facilitate travel within the continent.
Under the updated system, citizens of most African countries will be able to enter Kenya and remain ETA-free for up to two months.
However, members of the East African Community, which includes Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, can stay for up to six months, according to the bloc’s policy.
Kenya also says it will introduce an enhanced process “that will allow travelers to receive approval instantly” and a maximum processing time of 72 hours.
It is unclear when this will come into effect. Various ministries have been tasked with proposing guidelines within a week to improve “the traveler experience at all airports in Kenya”, according to the cabinet statement.
Before the introduction of the ETA, visitors from more than 40 countries, including several from Africa, could arrive in Kenya, get a stamp in their passport and enter without paying anything.
All travelers must now apply for and pay for an ETA at least three days before their trip to Kenya, unless they are citizens of an exempt country.
The ETA fee is $30 (£24) and is valid for 90 days.
The policy has faced criticism, with some saying it could make it more difficult for potential visitors to reach the country.
Kenya has indicated there was a security element to the introduction of the new system, with the government spokesperson telling the BBC last year it was necessary to screen travellers.
The country has been the target of several high-profile attacks by al-Shabab jihadist militants from neighboring Somalia.
On Tuesday, the government said it was also introducing a system that would improve “pre-screening, strengthen security and streamline passenger processing at entry points.”
