Kenya's visa waiver policy draws mixed responses

Opinions are divided in Kenya as the country's civil aviation authority lays down the rules to govern the visa-free entry policy.

Despite travelers from other countries welcoming the move and urging other African countries to follow suit, a number of Kenyans feel the decision was rushed and might open the borders to unwelcome visitors.

President William Ruto announced in December that Kenya would become a "visa-free country "and existing requirements would be waived come January.

The announcement was hailed by many, especially those from the tourism sector, as a bold move that other African countries should embrace.

Kenya said Friday it had welcomed the first batch of foreign tourists who arrived under a simplified entry system, Agence France-Presse reported.

The government's immigration services department said the "maiden visa-free arrivals" landed in Nairobi from Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa and more were expected to touch down in the coming days.

Under the new system, travelers apply online for an electronic travel authorization, or ETA, and pay a $30 "processing" fee.

According to Adikiny Olwenge, an air transport and aviation expert based at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, the lifting of visa requirements by Kenya after Rwanda did the same should be lauded as a positive move toward reducing fares in the region.

"The world belongs to those who are not shy to embrace globalization and we should not hesitate to venture abroad fearlessly and warmly welcome our visitors from near and far," Olwenge said.

Visitors from other countries have welcomed the move to waive visa requirements.

Ahmed Abifoluwa, a passenger who arrived in Kenya from Nigeria, said: "Africans need to appreciate the potential contributions of migration … Kenya is bound to gain immensely from this once the policy is in place."

Andrew Bandile, from South Africa, said the number of Kenyans visiting South Africa last year increased because the two countries agreed to drop visa requirements among themselves.

However, Monica Nerima, a master's student in Kenya, said she is not sure the policy should be rushed because other countries, especially those in Europe, are developing policies anchored on the anti-immigration agenda.

Regulatory framework

"There needs to be a regulatory framework to reduce the abuse that has already happened in some countries," Nerima said.

As recently as last Tuesday the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority said the new ETA system was "in the process of development and implementation".

According to Julius Bitok, Kenya's principal secretary for immigration, persons traveling or intending to travel to Kenya would be pre-screened ahead of their entry.

He urged Kenyans not to be worried about border security, adding the move by the president is aimed at promoting free intracontinental trade, investment and movement of people to promote the continent's economic, social and political development.

Kenya is not the first African country to waive visa requirements for visitors. By the end of last year Rwanda, Benin, The Gambia and Seychelles had already implemented a system of visa-free access for all Africans.

Agencies contributed to this story.