You still need a visa to visit Kenya, foreigners told

By Peter Ochieng

Are you a foreigner planning to visit Kenya soon.

Well, you still need a visa to be allowed into the country, despite president William Ruto's announcement weeks ago that Kenya would become a visa nation from January, 2024.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the status quo remains 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."

The statement did not reveal when the ETA system will be complete, only stating that "the ETA system is still in the process of development and implementation."

Once complete, KCAA said the digital platform will ensure that all travelers to Kenya are identified in advance.

During his second Jamhuri Day speech on 12th December, 2023, president Ruto abolished visa requirements for all global visitors beginning this month.

He stated that the government had developed a digital platform to facilitate visa-free entry into 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," he said at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

"To echo the call of the Turkana people to the world: “Tobong’u Lorre!” a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home!" he added.

Ruto first shared his plan for a visa free Kenya to all Africans, in October, 2023.

"When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers. By the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya,” he said, then.

However, the opposition led by Raila Odinga expressed reservations for a visa free country, over security fears.