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Kenya will allow citizens of nearly all African countries to visit without prior authorisation, according to a new directive by the cabinet.
Previously, Kenya had implemented a “visa-free” policy requiring most visitors to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before their journey.
However, this system, which replaced traditional visas, was widely criticised as a “visa under another name.”
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Under the new directive announced on Tuesday, the ETA will be eliminated for citizens of all African countries, except Somalia and Libya, due to security concerns.
The cabinet statement described the move as part of efforts to promote regional integration, boost tourism, and support open skies policies.
The updated system will permit most African visitors to stay in Kenya without an ETA for up to two months.
Citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states—Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi—will be allowed to stay for up to six months, aligning with the bloc’s policies.
In addition, Kenya plans to introduce a streamlined process for instant travel approval, with a maximum processing time of 72 hours.
While a timeline for the policy’s implementation remains unclear, the cabinet has instructed relevant ministries to propose guidelines within a week to enhance travellers’ experiences at Kenyan airports.
This development aligns with similar efforts across the continent to ease travel restrictions.
Ghana recently extended visa-free travel to all African passport holders, and Rwanda already allows African citizens to enter without a visa.
The African Union has been pushing for such measures to foster greater mobility and integration across the continent.
Kenya’s earlier introduction of the ETA had been controversial, requiring travellers to pay $30 for authorisation at least three days before departure.
The system also contributed to a decline in Kenya’s rank on the Africa Visa Openness Index, where it dropped to 46th out of 54 nations in 2024.
The Kenyan government has acknowledged security concerns related to its border policies, particularly with the ongoing threat from al-Shabab militants in neighbouring Somalia.
To address this, the cabinet also announced plans to enhance pre-screening measures and security protocols at entry points while ensuring smoother passenger processing.
With this new policy, Kenya aims to balance its security needs with its aspirations for regional collaboration and economic growth through tourism
