The Implications of Visa-Free Travel to Kenya
Kenya has made a bold decision to promote economic inclusion and boost tourism by allowing travellers to enter the country without a visa starting next year.
In his Jamhuri Day speech, President William Ruto unveiled a significant development that could revolutionize Kenya's tourism industry, economy, and trade. The new initiative will provide more accessibility for tourists, enabling them to discover Kenya's rugged natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Additionally, opening up to people from all walks of life, including businesspeople, signifies Kenya's commitment towards economic inclusion, trade expansion, and job creation.
According to Ruto, this decision is expected to facilitate cross-border trade in goods, services, and capital, ultimately fostering economic growth and advancement. Additionally, it will grant small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to explore fresh markets and broaden their clientele. President Ruto's initiative to eliminate visa requirements not only revolves around commerce and economic development but is also perceived as a symbolic plea for solidarity and collaboration among African nations.
The potential for increased global harmony lies at the heart of forging stronger diplomatic ties between nations. Developing these connections could facilitate better international relations as well as economic advancement. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly advantageous policy, potential pitfalls lurk, presenting significant challenges. Security, in particular, emerges as a pressing concern.
The initial barrier to potential security threats is often established through visa procedures. These procedures allow for background checks and the vetting of individuals before they are granted entry into a country. Removing these checks could unintentionally expose countries to individuals who may jeopardize security. Additionally, there is an increased likelihood of illegal immigration to consider.
Managing immigration in countries is challenging without proper visa processes and could result in a rise in illegal entry. This causes the concern of people overstaying their authorized period. With the ease of visa-free travel, people may become tempted to extend their stay, leading to unlawful residency.
Comments
Visa free entry is a…
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Visa free entry is a reckless policy that may sound good on paper but the application of it could cause disastrous results. More illegal networks will set up their bases in the country. From fraudsters to criminal elements running away from the law in other countries.
Kenya did not abolish check…
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In reply to Visa free entry is a… by MOHANDAS (not verified)
Kenya did not abolish check ins at the ports of entry. Only the visa fees waived. Everything else remains the same.
Again visa wasn’t a deterrent for those that you mentioned as criminal runaways.
Astute participants on this…
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Astute participants on this forum have pointed out the potential pitfalls mentioned in the article.Actually this is a no brainer...
With our porous borders,and questionable security apparatus in place,folks,this does not sound like a good idea,even if economic gains are forthcoming. The problem with making a wrong decision of this magnitude,is that repairing the damage from the fallout could be very costly in every measurable scale,and dimention.
So I hope those responsible for this decision were circumspect in their decision making as they weighed pros and cons.
This is the end of security…
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This is the end of security if there was any to begin with.
Very reckless policy that undermines the citizens.
I can bet you my head that…
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I can bet you my head that our shìthole will be the capital of the world for criminal elements of all kinds. Drug trafficking will be rampant so as human trafficking, including children!!! Our youngsters will soon be entangled in drug addictions, murders will increase exponentially, so will be the quality of life. Well armed cartels, better armed than the police and the military, will mushroom everywhere, killing everyone who comes across their criminal activities!
Our shìthole will turn into Haiti, Colombia, the Mexican cartels, etc etc!
Blaze yourselves!!!
Ruto son-in-law in Nigerian…
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Ruto son-in-law in Nigerian. He is opening doors for West Africa to do ‘business’
President Ruto has,in my…
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President Ruto has,in my opinion, made 2 good policy initiatives. One is his green agenda and the other is his no visa proposal. The fears on the visa policy expressed above are just paranoia.
Paranoia is in the eyes of…
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In reply to President Ruto has,in my… by Simon Shirley (not verified)
Paranoia is in the eyes of the beholder! Factually, give us an example of a great country with open borders policies!
Don’t say Europe cause Europe is a millennia ahead of our shìthole in terms of everything needed to have a safe integration! They just didn’t wake up one morning and shouted about open borders! They probably negotiated deals, policies, regulations and guardrails for decades, which then had to be approved by the peoples representatives, and even more time to implement it!
Here we just have a “dictator” issuing fatwa singularly like he owns the government, the country and its people!
It’s absurdity!!!
With the exception of the…
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In reply to Paranoia is in the eyes of… by Juju (not verified)
With the exception of the fees, visa or visa free in Kenya is all and the same thing in terms of anyone who wanted to come in. I have heard here that people will bring drugs or criminal activities. Visa is not a deterrent to these. Anyone with visa could still try to bring in illegal stuff. Of course people will still fly, drive or walk in country’s borders with their passport or identities that are logged into the database. They are then given the days they desire to stay ( conditions apply) after which they are obligated to leave the country. Visa free does not mean indefinite stay. Everyone coming in will have records recorded at the port of entry.
Thank you for clarifying,…
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In reply to With the exception of the… by Ole (not verified)
Thank you for clarifying, cause how the approach was reported is insanity for the worst of the insane, mad!!!
It will b shit hole like usa…
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It will b shit hole like usa/uk/france where many illegal immigrants have decided to get stuck doing all kind of illegal jobs/having left their children/wives/husbands back home for decades n refused to return etc.Drugs r rampant in the said countries is it of the illegal immigrants who many in this group or what???For me as an panafrican I salute Ruto to open the F borders which were put by the evil stupid colonialist period.
The immigrants get stuck…
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In reply to It will b shit hole like usa… by Mkenya halisi (not verified)
The immigrants get stuck because there is a low unemployment rate and they can work seemingly crappy jobs making more cash than with a wheelbarrow, two scrawny cows and a few squawking chickens. The US doesn't just let random people in and will in fact give those randoms a one way ticket back to their birthplace with specific no return instructions. You can ask some people on this site for confirmation.
@ Mundumugo,there are very…
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In reply to The immigrants get stuck… by Mūndūmūgo (not verified)
@ Mundumugo,there are very few places where a standard 3 school drop out ,or a dishwasher who does not speak the language, can drive a Jaguar,BMW,so long as he has a good credit,and a decent down payment from his unskilled labor,and two friends he can trust to do the legal paper work he lacks...due to his status.
I few days ago, I mentioned about unskilled ,undocumented immigrant from Mexico who was caught crossing the border back to Mexico with $160,000 cash...Talk of having a plan from picking Oranges,and eating some.The squeeze was worth the juice for sure,if they let him go.
@ Mundumugo,there are very…
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In reply to The immigrants get stuck… by Mūndūmūgo (not verified)
@ Mundumugo,there are very few places where a standard 3 school drop out ,or a dishwasher who does not speak the language, can drive a Jaguar,BMW,so long as he has a good credit,and a decent down payment from his unskilled labor,and two friends he can trust to do the legal paper work he lacks...due to his status.
I few days ago, I mentioned about unskilled ,undocumented immigrant from Mexico who was caught crossing the border back to Mexico with $160,000 cash...Talk of having a plan from picking Oranges,and eating some.The squeeze was worth the juice for sure,if they let him go.
I hope to see you on the…
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In reply to It will b shit hole like usa… by Mkenya halisi (not verified)
I hope to see you on the other side my fren, but unfortunately, not sure about that cause you are too old now for that long wait!
Almost a million refugees…
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Almost a million refugees enter visa free illegally,. no problem. So adding another one or two million tourists entering legally visa free isn't an issue. Will the tourism revenue make up for zero visa fees,.how about staff that process visa,. will they have jobs?
Good question, that’s what…
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In reply to Almost a million refugees… by SimamaImara mp… (not verified)
Good question, that’s what is called shooting your self in the foot, in this case in your balls!!!
I wish Kibaki would just wake up from his grave as 40-something years old, resurrected Jesus and guide this shìthole into prosperity, and have more teeth to chew on the corrupt thieves criminals and tyrants!
We definitely need an African god, who does demand or thief from us as a nation, who ruthlessly punishes thieves, corrupt individuals and institutions alike, safeguarding Wanjiku’s interests and security as a number one priority!!!
Hello African God!?!
This is reckless. You need…
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This is reckless. You need to verify anyone coming in your country. This will not end up very well. Open borders for all sorts of criminals.
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