Kenya to Scrap Visas for all African Nationals
Starting from next year, Kenya will no longer require visas for African nationals visiting the country.
This is part of an effort to promote trade and travel within the continent. During a conference on climate change in Congo-Brazzaville last week, President William Ruto announced that Kenya would be making major changes to its travel policies. By the end of the year, all African passport holders would be able to enter Kenya without a visa for national travel. The current visa requirements and costly airfares have long hindered inter-African travel for African passport holders, with 32 out of 54 African countries still demanding visas. To President Ruto, abolishing visa requirements helps transcend boundaries and helps African children trailblaze around the world with freedom.
Kenya will join the Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles as the fourth African country to eliminate visa requirements for Africans. Seychelles, an island nation heavily reliant on tourism, was the first to implement this change in 2016. Ruto also highlighted that the removal of barriers is crucial for the successful implementation of the African continental free trade area.
His commitment to unrestricted development has been outspokenly noted, specifically when it comes to allowing innovative ideas to cross boundaries without restriction. The idea of free movement has been echoed in the African Union’s recent efforts to coax additional African nations towards opening their borders. The launch of the "AU passport" was designed to enable unrestricted travel opportunities for Africans within the continent. However, its implementation has been limited, with mainly diplomats and high-ranking officials using the passports.
Concerns about crime and security have caused African countries to be cautious in making changes. Nonetheless, the 2022 Africa visa openness report indicates that most countries have been simplifying entry procedures. A majority of African countries now offer visa-free travel to at least five other countries, promoting greater freedom of movement within regional blocs. Additionally, the number of nations offering e-visas has more than doubled since 2016.
Kenya's announcement has been met with enthusiasm from Africans online, expressing hope that other countries will follow suit. One social media user emphasizes that all presidents on the continent should support this move, as prioritizing free movement within the continent is crucial.
Comments
More scammers to roam freely…
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More scammers to roam freely at your expense.
I can't agree more @Abato!…
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I can't agree more @Abato! All scammers now handed to nairobi.....not sure whose brilliant idea that shyt was but lets sit back and watch like a movie!
It is a good move but they…
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It is a good move but they need a good system to track all those visitors. You do not need a Visa to travel to all the 50 States in USA.
You have given all West…
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In reply to It is a good move but they… by Kenya (not verified)
You have given all West African conmen especially Nigerians, a free hand to ran amok in Kenya. You just wait and see.
I dont think that's agood…
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In reply to It is a good move but they… by Kenya (not verified)
I dont think that's agood analogy.USA is one country made of 50 states,and DC.All operate under one constitution,and same Federal laws apply equally in all States. If Africa was UNITED, it would be much easier to knock down the state,or country borders.
The better analogy would be the EU. Made of different countries but Members can travel and work freely within member countries. Interestingly, USA citizens as of now do not need a Visa to travel to EU,but starting next year,they will require some kind of permit,or authorization.
He needs to bring in his…
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He needs to bring in his Nigerian inlaws to help him plunder the economy even further. What exactly are these Africans coming over to Kenya to do not like they spend like there is no tommorrow on tourism.We do not need a drug problem we already have an alcohol problem. We have enough african Kenyan problems we do not need to import more. Real tourist and investors will willingly pay a visa fee because they have nothing to hide. Stop taking Kenya backwards. Borders serve a purpose Kenya does not have the sophisticated intelligence to keep hard core criminals and human traffickers away .When you open a door and tell everyone welcome you pick up everything these so called african tourists and investors bring with them including drug dealers, poachers, human traffickers, war criminals, and even terrorists. Nairobi has not been bombed lately people are beginning to take safety for granted
If I understand this…
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If I understand this correctly, the VISA restrictions being lifted are just for traveling/tourist VISA. So I doubt if students,and work VISA are an issue here.So @ guest,investors will still apply for the correct VISA,obviously ,also fulfill other investment requirements...
I personally dont think that it's agood idea to give this privilege to countries like Somalia that harbor terrorists who are harming us.Well one might argue that Alshabab are a thorn in the flesh of Somalis as well,but we are talking of Kenya's security here.
Unfortunately I think once…
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In reply to If I understand this… by maxiley (not verified)
Unfortunately I think once they are in the country, they will simply vanish. Roysambu and Ruai come to mind
@ Mundumugo.as long as the…
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In reply to Unfortunately I think once… by Mūndūmūgo (not verified)
@ Mundumugo.as long as the police,and immigration entities are still rife with corruption,it is not agood adea to relax the country's laws,and policies that pertain to entering the country.Too risky.Can you imagine USA,the paragon of democracy apply the same "RUTO LAW" to its neighbors?
Ruto is trying to joke with…
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Ruto is trying to joke with kenyans. Visas are there to collect revenues for the government. How much are we going to lose? Then once he realizes that there's no money he will add more taxes to kenyans. Again, he finally wants his in-laws scammers in our country. We can only recommend he opens the doors visa free for East Africans, central Africans and Southern African countries. But we don't want (Waste) Africans. If Nigerian swam into kenya freely, crime will rise high, prostitution, drugs, kidnappings and money laundering. Then kenya will have a bad reputation internationally. Our passport will lose its value.Ruto lacks exposure. He never lived out of kenya to understand.
Does Ndugu Samoei know the…
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Does Ndugu Samoei know the true nature of Nigerians? Does he have an advisor?
Stupidity at its highest…
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Stupidity at its highest level ,Kenya is the US of Africa all the people from all poor countries will flock in Kenya and start taking their jobs .
How damn can this people, be serious that is why we have borders .
And taking our land .Jomo Kenyatta ans Joseph Kamaru warned us against this behaviors and mostly selling our soil to foreigners.
Not wise....and are those…
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Not wise....and are those countries reciprocating our gesture?
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