Ruto Reveals Plans To Scrap Visa Restrictions For African Countries [VIDEO]

President William Ruto on Thursday, August 10 opened up on his suggestion for the realisation of Pan-Africanism through the removal of visa requirements among African countries.

Speaking during his two-day state visit to Mozambique, the Kenyan Head of State 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.

Ruto alluded to the suggestion to scrap the visa requirements to a similar move by European countries who currently have a single visa under the European Union (EU), countries he lamented were responsible for introducing the requirements to Africa during the Colonial Era.

He believed that Africa can replicate the same which, if successful, could represent the last time African delegates, for example, pay for visas to visit Kenya.

“Visa requirements, which were introduced by our friends, who created boundaries for us have been abandoned in their current locations. Surprisingly, the European Union (EU) has a single visa among its 27 member countries.

“But imagine the people who created boundaries for us to have visa requirements, have abandoned the process in their home countries, simply because it has no meaning anymore. So, why should we continue implementing it?” Ruto posed.

His suggestion could be seen by many as one that is aimed at walking in the footsteps of the fathers of Pan-Africanism by ensuring a visa-free Africa, a move that is in line with his rallying call for a borderless continent to allow free movement of people and goods.

Ruto has been on a relentless push to bag visa-free deals with other African countries, among them South Africa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries outside Africa such as the Bahamas.

During a meeting at State House with Indonesian investors on Friday, July 14, President Ruto hinted at plans to add Indonesia to the list of countries that the Kenya Kwanza government has bagged visa-free deals since taking office on September 13, 2022.

"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.