Ruto Promises Review Of Visa & Work Permits For Missionaries

He commended religious organisations for working with the national government to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to Kenyans over the years.

“Let me give assurance to the missionary community who have requested us to review their work permits and visa requirements to scale them down," stated the Head of State, adding "I agree with you that this is an area of concern and therefore we will reconsider our position and bring the missionary visa and work permit process to the level that you have requested.”

The President spoke on Thursday, October 24 during the commissioning of a state-of-the-art cardiothoracic centre at the Tenwek Mission Hospital in Bomet County.

President William Ruto at the state-of-the-art Cardiothoracic Centre at the AGC Tenwek Mission Hospital, Bomet County on October 24, 2024. /PCS

The ultra-modern 400-bed hospital facility, one of its kind in East Africa, was put up with funding from the African Gospel Church, World Gospel Mission (WGM) and Samaritan’s Purse. “We invite more public-private partnerships to boost investments in the development of healthcare infrastructure and the expansion of services,” he said.

Present at the function were Edward Graham, Samaritan Purse’s chief operations officer, WGM president Dan Schafer and Tenwek Mission Hospital board of directors chairman the Rev Robert Lang’at.

Others were Cabinet Secretaries Debra Barasa of Health and Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport), Governors Hillary Barchok of Bomet and Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), MPs and other leaders.

As It Stands

Currently, the Class I (Missionaries) work permit application process comprises seven stages and is divided into three categories; fees paid, required documents, and institutions/systems involved.

This permit is issued to a person who is a member of an institution registered under the Society's Act who is engaged as a missionary, a member of a company limited by guarantee, a member of a trust registered under the Trustees Act and is approved by the Government of Kenya, and whose presence in Kenya will be of benefit to Kenya.

The seven-stage process is as follows;

1. Apply and pay for work permit processing fees. 
2. Submit permit application. 
3. Obtain notification of approval. 
4. Pay for permit fees. 
5. Permit endorsement.
6. Obtain payment acknowledgement receipt. 
7. Obtain a class I work permit.  

The total fees paid total to Ksh7,100. A fee of Ksh1,000, which is paid twice, covers the work processing fees. A fifty shilling charge paid twice covers the eCitizen costs while a Ksh5,000 fee is paid to cover the issuance of a class I work permit that is valid for one year.

Institutions and systems covered include the Department of Immigration; Foreign Nationals Management section, the eFNS (electronic Foreign Nationals Services) portal that caters to the application for work permits, passes, permanent residence, or Kenyan citizenship, and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

Documents that one should submit include a certificate of incorporation, academic and professional certificates, KRA pin certificate, passport photos, a passport, permit application printout, permit cover letter, payment receipt for work permit processing fee, permit checklist, notification of issuance of invoice, foreign national registration certificate (alien), bank deposit, security bond, security bond receipt and letter of authority.

This move comes after Ruto recently announced the introduction of the Digital Nomad Work Permit that will allow global digital professionals to live and work in Kenya.

"I am pleased to announce the introduction of a Digital Nomad Work Permit, specifically designed to welcome global digital professionals, allowing them to live and work in Kenya while enjoying the country’s natural beauty and high-quality lifestyle. Kenya can be your home, where you and your family can experience the wonders of Magical Kenya every day, all while serving clients from anywhere in the world," Ruto stated. 

A view of the state-of-the-art Cardiothoracic Centre at the AGC Tenwek Mission Hospital, Bomet County on October 24, 2024. /PCS