No Visa-free entry to Kenya for foreigners just yet, Gov't now says

Foreigners visiting Kenya will still need to apply for Visas to enter Kenya, despite President William Ruto's declaration last year that by the beginning of 2024, Kenya will be a Visa-free country. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said this will be the case until changes announced by the government on the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system are communicated.

“All travellers coming to Kenya from countries that require visas shall continue applying for visas in the usual manner until the government communicates more on the ETA system,” read the statement.

The authority added that the ETA system is still in the process of development and implementation, noting that the digital platform will ensure that all travelers to Kenya are identified in advance.

However, no timeline has been given on when the ETA system will be complete.

President Ruto had abolished Visa requirements for all global visitors beginning this month during his Jamhuri Day speech last month, adding that the government had developed a digital platform to facilitate Visa-free entry.

He noted then that the abolishment lies on the backdrop of embracing globalisation and opening the borders to spur the socio-economic development of the country.

"Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country. It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya," said Ruto on December 12, 2023 at Uhuru Gardens.

President Ruto has been championing the realisation of a borderless Africa by advocating for Visa-free travel.

Kenya was the second country in Africa to announce that it had opened its borders, after Rwanda did so on November 3, 2023.

Kenya has already lifted Visa requirements for Indonesia nationals following talks between President Ruto and the Southeast Asian country’s leader Joko Widodo on August 21, 2023.

This made Indonesia join Senegal and Congo as the countries Kenya has Visa-free agreements with.