Kenya Receives First Arrivals In Ruto Visa-Free Regime

Immigration Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok has announced that the first batch of foreigners using Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) under the visa-free entry policy in Kenya have landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Bitok announced that 5,000 eTA applications have already been received with 2,141 approved so far, the arrivals coming four days after the programme was scheduled to commence.

One eTA costs Ksh4,600 when applying through the eCitizen platform.

The eTA application now officially replaces the visa following President William Ruto's directive that Kenya would be visa-free starting in 2024.

According to previous reports, the government had postponed the rollout of the eTA system as it was yet to be fully developed.

However, the government provided requirements for travellers to adhere to before entering the country.

Foreign nationals will be required to possess a valid passport document, a passport-type photo, contact information, details of their arrival and departure itinerary, accommodation booking confirmations credit, debit card, or other means of payment.

However, the requirements may vary for residents of select countries with the eTA requiring them to have to produce financial assets or bank letters and return transportation bookings.

“Each person intending to travel into the country shall apply to the Director for Electronic Travel Authorization through the electronic portal and be in possession of the Authorization before embarkment,” a special Gazette notice issued by Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki read in part.

“An application under sub-regulation (1) shall be in Form 22 as set out in the First Schedule and shall include biographical information, travel itinerary and any other information relating to the application that the Director may require.”

Carriers arriving in Kenya will not be allowed to onboard a passenger who does not have a valid ETA.

“Subject to regulation 16 B (3), any carrier or agent in command who contravenes regulation 16 C shall be liable to pay an administrative penalty of Ten Thousand United States Dollars,” it added.

The amended Act now introduces a “watch list” to monitor and track the activities or movements of criminals, individuals found guilty of offences involving stolen and lost travel documents, criminal deportees, suspected terrorists, and other persons of interest to the intelligence community.

President William Ruto on Tuesday, December 12 announced that Kenya was gravitating towards a visa-free regime, a historic directive in the country's 60-year history.

"It is with great pleasure, as President of this extraordinary country, to make a historic announcement of the decision of the Government of Kenya. Beginning in January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country. It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya.

"To echo the call of the Turkana people to the world: “Tobong’u Lorre!” Kenya has a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home! This is why, the Government has abolished the requirement of visas for all our visitors," Ruto announced while addressing the nation during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations.