Kenya will be a visa-free country for all visitors starting January 2024. This means that anyone from any country will no longer need to apply for a visa to visit Kenya.
According to President William Ruto, this decision comes as part of Kenya’s commitment to globalization and opening its borders to stimulate socio-economic development.
President Ruto emphasized that Kenyans have always embraced globalization and are not afraid of the world beyond their borders.
“It is with great pleasure, as president of this extraordinary country, to make a historic announcement of the decision of the Government of Kenya. Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country,” Ruto said on Tuesday during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
“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.
The new policy will be implemented through a digital platform that will identify all travellers to Kenya in advance.
“To implement this new policy, we have developed a digital platform to ensure that all travellers to Kenya are identified in advance on an electronic platform. All travellers will obtain electronic travel authorization.”
In Africa, the Seychelles, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Benin have been offering entry to all African citizens without a visa on the continent.
The African Union (AU) has been promoting the idea of free movement and trade within the continent, launching an African passport in 2016 and the African Continental Free Trade Area in 2018.
The AU says that the African passport and free movement of people are “aimed at removing restrictions on Africans’ ability to travel, work, and live within their continent as part of the Agenda 2063 flagship project.
