Kenya grants visa-free entry to all African nations, excludes two countries

The Kenyan government has announced a visa-free policy for travelers from nearly all African nations, aiming to boost regional integration and openness. This move aligns with Kenya’s vision of enhancing cross-border transactions and fostering unity within the continent.

Key Points:

1. Policy Overview:
   Kenya’s new directive eliminates visa requirements for citizens of most African countries, allowing them to visit and stay for up to two months.

   • Members of the East African Community (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi) can stay for up to six months under existing regional agreements.

2. Exemptions:
   Somalia and Libya are excluded from the policy due to security concerns.

3. Background and Significance:

   • Before this, only five African nations (Ghana, Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin) offered visa-free access to all African citizens.
   • Kenya previously ranked low (46th out of 54) on the African Visa Openness Index.
   • The move reflects Kenya’s commitment to improving its standing and aligning with Africa’s aspirations for unity and free movement.

4. Criticism and Progress:

   • Kenya’s past efforts, such as the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program, faced backlash for being cumbersome and costly.
   • The new policy seeks to rectify these shortcomings by simplifying entry requirements and enhancing regional cooperation.