CS Miano Announces Instant eTA After Complaints From Travellers Visiting Kenya
Miano revealed that the instant eTA was among the changes the Ministry was making in response to complaints about the eTA process which went as high up as the African Union.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has announced that the government has introduced an instant electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for travellers visiting Kenya, including on a priority basis.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 26 while appearing on NTV's Fixing The Nation, Miano revealed that the instant eTA was among the changes the Ministry was making in response to complaints about the eTA process which went as high up as the African Union.
Miano admitted that the initial implementation of the eTA system faced challenges, including longer processing times than traditional visas. However, she emphasized that the Ministry has since improved the system, allowing for quicker approvals. Travellers now have access to instant eTA options.
The CS stated that after the African Union released a report downgrading Kenya’s visa openness, the ministry took steps to enhance it. This included exempting all African countries granting Kenyans visa-free entry from the eTA requirement.
A graphic of a passport and a Kenyan flag. /GETTY IMAGES
Additionally, the ministry has modified the eTA to allow multiple entries. Previously, it was valid for a single entry into Kenya, except for temporary departures and re-entries to one or more EAC Partner States.
"The eTA is significantly cheaper than a visa and also takes a shorter time but in implementing, we received a lot of feedback (on eTA) and we took them seriously.
"When the report by the AU did not rank Kenya very high in visa openness, we took strides. First, to reciprocate all the countries that allowed Kenya to enter visa-free were exempted from the eTA. It has been made multiple entry so that if you go to Kenya and you go back to your country, you can come back for about three months. The period has been reduced and in fact, we also have instant eTAs," Miano revealed.
The CS went on to reveal that since the changes were made, the number of complaints on social media on the matter had reduced, with findings from exit and entry interviews indicating that the Ministry managed to address the matter.
The changes come days after President William Ruto announced that Kenya will update visa and electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirements for passengers arriving at the Port of Mombasa in a bid to boost tourism in the country, in line with recent modifications for international arrivals at the country's major airports, ensuring a consistent entry process for all travellers.
Speaking on Sunday, February 23 during the welcoming ceremony of the Norwegian Dawn Cruise Ship at Mombasa Port which ferried over 2,000 tourists, Ruto announced that his administration was in the process of removing the complex paperwork which has typically discouraged tourists from visiting Kenya.
He stated that the new changes would primarily focus on visitors arriving in the country aboard cruise ships, whose numbers have surged in recent months.
The president also revealed that he had consulted with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) leadership, led by Captain William Ruto, and reached an agreement on implementing the revised process for approving visitors' documents.
”I want to confirm to you and other cruise ships that we will be changing our visa and our eTA so that we can make it easier and seamless for those of you who are visiting. This will ensure that there is no paperwork and issues,” the head of state announced during the tour.
”We have agreed with the management of the port that it will be made simple and easy so that visitors can visit our country, cities, and parks with much more ease."
