Rédaction Africa Links 24 with BBC
Published on 2024-02-03 08:36:25
Kenya’s President, William Ruto, made headlines last year when he announced that the country would be going visa-free for African visitors. However, many have been surprised by the new requirements, which have introduced fresh costs and paperwork for some. The move, which was aimed at promoting intra-Africa travel and trade, has now come under scrutiny as travelers have been caught off guard by the changes.
Adio, a Zimbabwean citizen living in Germany, experienced these changes firsthand. He was not anticipating any issues at the airport when he arrived for his flight to Kenya earlier this month. However, at the check-in desk, he was asked to show a document saying he had permission to enter Kenya. Adio thought that visa-free meant just that, visa-free. Little did he know, the new visa-free policy required travelers to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) at a cost of $30 every time they entered Kenya. This was a stark contrast to the previous system where travelers could pay $50 for a multiple-entry visa that was valid for several years.
For Adio and many others, the new policy was inconvenient and costly. Kenya’s immigration lawyer, Davis Nyagah, believes that the ETA is essentially a “visa under another name.” He raised concerns about the blanket introduction of the ETA for everyone and its impact on travelers from countries with previous visa-free arrangements.
Despite the inconveniences, the Kenyan government was quick to defend the ETA, citing security as a key concern, especially in light of global threats such as terrorism. Salim Swaleh, press secretary for Kenya’s government, stated that vetting travelers was necessary to ensure the safety and security of the country. This was particularly important given Kenya’s history of being targeted by jihadist militants.
However, the implementation of the ETA has raised questions about its impact on tourism and business travel. Many believe that ease of travel is essential for attracting tourists and facilitating business. Some economists and public policy experts have expressed concerns that the new visa requirements could hurt the Kenyan economy in the short to medium term.
While the government spokesperson, Isaac Maigua Mwaura, acknowledged that the ETA had “teething problems,” he also expressed optimism that the issues would “smoothen with time.” More than 60,000 applications have been processed so far, and the Kenyan government has capacity to handle about 5,000 requests a day.
The introduction of the ETA in Kenya has also shed light on broader trends in visa requirements across the continent. While Kenya’s move has been met with criticism, it also reflects a larger issue of complex and expensive visa requirements that have long been barriers to commerce. Despite the setbacks, there is a growing trend towards easier freedom of movement, with several African countries introducing bilateral visa-waiver deals to facilitate travel.
The debate over Kenya’s new visa policy highlights the complexities of promoting intra-Africa travel and trade. While the intention was to promote frictionless movement and trade on the continent, the implementation has raised concerns about the impact on travelers and the economy. As Kenya continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of its new visa policy, the broader conversation around visa requirements in Africa is likely to evolve, with a growing emphasis on facilitating easier movement and trade across the continent.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
