Indonesians Can Come To Kenya Visa-Free- Ruto

President William Ruto has announced that Indonesian citizens travelling to Kenya can now do so visa-free.

He made the announcement on Monday, August 21 when he hosted his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, at State House in Nairobi, emphasizing that Kenya was open for business opportunities.

Ruto added that his government moved to stretch the visa-free entry directive to cover all Indonesian passport holders, alongside those holding diplomatic and service passports.

"I have informed His Excellency the President that Kenya is open for business and a significant step in this direction must remain the relaxation of and progressive abolition of visa restrictions to entry between our two nations. 

"On our part as Kenya, we have taken the decision to extend the visa-free entry not only to holders of diplomatic and service passports but to all holders of Indonesian passports. So our friends from Indonesia can now come to Kenya visa-free," Ruto announced.

The Head of State on Friday, July 14 had hinted at plans to add Indonesia to the list of countries that the Kenya Kwanza government has bagged visa-free deals since taking office.

As a matter of fact, the Head of State teased an ongoing debate on whether or not Kenya should have visa restrictions for those visiting from other countries.

"We want to make it easier for people to travel. We want to make it easier for the movement of people, goods, and services by eliminating unnecessary barriers. We will waive visa requirements for Indonesia for everybody, not just for the big guys, even the ordinary people.

"They can come to Kenya without asking for any visa, in fact, we are having a very big debate as Kenyans as to whether we should have Visa at all," Ruto announced, further reiterating Kenya's stance as the cradle of mankind.

On Thursday, August 10, President Ruto during his two-day state visit to Mozambique,  opened up on his suggestion for the realisation of Pan-Africanism through the removal of visa requirements among African countries.

The Kenyan Head of State had remarked that the scrapping of visa requirements to realise the Pan-African dream will promote the free flow of people and trade in the continent.

The Head of State shared details of discussions African countries are having regarding having a visa-free continent and noted that a decision will be made by the end of 2023.

“We are currently having a national conversation about whether any African needs a visa at all, forget one at the airport. And by the end of this year, we will have made a decision because we share history, culture, and destiny.

"It is our place to begin to imagine a continent of brothers and sisters that does not have the limitations of barriers and boundaries that impedes the movement of people or goods,” Ruto stated.

Aerial view of Jakarta International Airport in Indonesia. /SKYTRAX