Under the revised entry policy, first hinted at by the government in January and now fully in effect, travellers from eligible countries are no longer required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), complete visa forms, or pay any fees.
The exemption allows them to enter the country without prior authorisation and stay for up to 60 days. Nationals of East African Community (EAC) member states like Rwanda will continue to enjoy longer stays of up to six months, as provided for under regional free movement agreements.
A cabinet dispatch issued in January noted that while the broader goal is to facilitate travel across the continent, exceptions had to be made due to prevailing security risks in the two affected countries.
'As part of efforts to support open skies policies and promote tourism growth, a key proposal is to grant exemptions from e-visas to all African countries, except Somalia and Libya, for security reasons,' the statement read in part.
Kenya introduced its eTA system in January 2024 as a replacement for traditional visas. Although intended to simplify travel, the system attracted criticism for imposing what many saw as hidden fees and bureaucratic steps on travellers from previously visa-exempt countries.
The backlash was reflected in Kenya's sharp drop in the Africa Visa Openness Index, falling 17 places to rank 46th out of 54 countries.
To address the concerns, the government promised further reforms, including a new passenger information system to streamline entry procedures and strengthen border security.
Authorities also plan to fast-track eTA approvals for travellers still subject to the system, with processing times expected to be reduced to 72 hours or less.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
