Victor EzejaKenyan citizens have kicked against the new visa-free policy for travellers to the East African country announced by President, William Ruto.
Ruto had while speaking during the country’s 60th Independence Day celebration said that “Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country.”
“It will 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,” he added.
He said there will be an electronic platform where all travellers will register to get authorization.
President William Ruto: Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country. 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. #JamhuriDay #KenyaAt60 pic.twitter.com/3fMjkvZsmD
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) December 12, 2023
Ruto is one of the African leaders vigorously pushing for an effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) that came into effect in January 2021. He maintains that one of the effective ways to drive benefits from the agreement is by removing barriers to movement and trade within the African continent.
At the Three Basins Climate Change Conference in Brazzaville, Congo last month, Ruto had declared that Kenya will be opening its doors to all African nationals without requiring visas, effective from next year.
A World Bank 2022 report predicted that AfCFTA presents a major opportunity for African countries to bring 30 million people out of extreme poverty and to raise the incomes of 68 million others who live on less than $5.50 per day through increased trade facilitation.
This and the quest to boost Kenya’s economy by attracting businesses from foreigners are the motivations behind President Ruto’s decision to make entry to the country visa-free.
However, the citizens have criticized the action citing various reasons why the policy may not be in the best interest of the country.
The citizens took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their reservations about the policy. Some queried why the government should subject citizens 18 years and above to pay about two thousand Kenyan Shillings (about 13 dollars) to get national identity documentation.
READ ALSO: Africa Must Break Internal Visa Barriers For Shared Prosperity – Editorial
“Visa-free yet citizens are paying for national ID, doesn’t make sense,” a Kenyan X user, Tycoon Andy Flavour Ambassador, wrote.
“So, visitors are free to walk in here without documentation, but citizens have to pay for IDs to prove origin??,” another user, Nyamori Nyamori wrote.
“VISA-free country that makes its citizens pay 2k for ID,” Menge wrote, albeit with a satirical tone.
“VISA FREE! but at the same time, are paying to get Identification documentation.”
Some asked whether other nations would be ready to offer Kenyan citizens the same treatment.
Another X user Brian Chiwax Obuchi questioned the sincerity of President Ruto in declaring visa-free yet asking travellers to obtain electronic authorization. “All travellers must obtain an Electronic travel authorisation online,’ Ruto we know you, the electronic authorisation fee will be way more than the current Visa fee,” he stated.
While some observed that the country would lose revenue coming through visa applications, others expressed concern that the visa-free policy might lead to an influx of all kinds of people and an increase in criminality.
“A Visa-Free country. Not bad. However, the move requires absolute vigilance. As it may turn the country into a madmen market,” Misigo Ian Kosgei said.
“It’s not a good idea. With visa-free, we will never know who’s coming into the country,” Jamaa.
"All travellers must obtain an Electronic travel authorisation online." Ruto we know you, the electronic authorisation fee will be way more than the current Visa fee
— CHIWAX™ (@brianchiwax) December 12, 2023
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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