President William Ruto’s directive to make Kenya a Visa-free country will not take effect as earlier announced.
The directive was expected to take effect starting January 2024.
In a statement, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) noted that the alternative entry application model, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system was yet to be fully developed.
As such, travellers visiting the country will still be required to apply for a Visa through Kenyan embassies, as has been the norm.Â
Officials at KCAA confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke the authenticity of the document, which read, “Following the presidential directive that Kenya will be a visa-free country from January 2024, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is in the process of development and implementation.”
“All travelers coming to Kenya from countries that require visas shall continue applying for visas in the usual manner until the government communicates the change program to the ETA system,” the statement indicated.
The ETA system, according to government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, is meant to control the influx of visitors once the visas are scrapped. Travellers will be charged Ksh4,600 during the application for the permit, an amount lower than Ksh7,600 for a single entry visa.
ETA systems also provide an extra layer of security and enhance efficiency in that they cut off unnecessary delays, facilitating the free movement of people across borders. Kenya is also expected to leverage Integrated border management systems at airports to curb illegal movements.
