President Ruto Declares Kenya's Visa-Free Status Starting January 2024

Visa-Free Travel from 2024

President William Ruto during a guard of honour at the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi on December 12, 2023

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• President William Ruto announces abolishing visa requirements for global visitors to Kenya, effective January 2024.

• The decision, disclosed during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations, aligns with Kenya's commitment to embracing globalization and fostering socio-economic development.

• Kenya has become a visa-free country, eliminating the need for visa applications from individuals worldwide.

• A digital platform has been developed for advanced traveler identification, and electronic travel authorization will be granted upon successful identification.

• President Ruto extends a warm welcome to global visitors, echoing the call of the Turkana people: "Tobong’u Lorre!"

• Kenya follows Rwanda in becoming the second African country to implement visa-free travel for all Africans.

• Before this, Kenya lifted visa requirements for Indonesian nationals and is set to finalize similar agreements with Comoros by year-end.

• Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua supports the move, highlighting its potential to overcome challenges and promote cross-border development in Africa.

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President William Ruto declared on Tuesday, during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, that the Kenyan government is taking a monumental step towards global integration by abolishing visa requirements for visitors worldwide, effective from January 2024. 

According to President Ruto, this decision aligns with the nation's commitment to embracing globalization and unlocking the potential for socio-economic development by opening its borders.

Starting in January 2024, Kenya will transition into a visa-free country, eliminating the need for individuals from any part of the globe to undergo the visa application process to visit Kenya. 

President Ruto emphasized that the implementation of this progressive policy involves the development of a digital platform. This platform will ensure the advanced identification of all travelers planning to visit Kenya, streamlining the process and enhancing security measures. 

Upon successful identification, visitors will be granted electronic travel authorization, simplifying their entry into the country.

In echoing the sentiment of the Turkana people to the global community with the phrase "Tobong’u Lorre!"—a simple yet powerful message extending a warm welcome—President Ruto underscored Kenya's commitment to being an open and inclusive destination for all.

President Ruto has been a staunch advocate for a borderless Africa, championing the cause of visa-free travel. Kenya's move follows in the footsteps of Rwanda, which announced visa-free travel for all Africans on November 3, 2023, making Kenya the second African country to make such a significant policy shift.

Prior to this sweeping change, Kenya had already demonstrated its commitment to fostering international relationships by lifting visa requirements for Indonesian nationals after bilateral talks with Indonesia's leader, Joko Widodo, on August 21. 

This move marked Indonesia's inclusion alongside Senegal and Congo as nations with visa-free agreements with Kenya. Furthermore, Comoros is on track to finalize a similar agreement with Kenya by the end of the year.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lent his support to President Ruto's agenda, emphasizing that the elimination of visa requirements will contribute to overcoming perennial challenges faced by the continent and foster cross-border development. 

Kenya's decision reflects a broader trend towards greater openness and collaboration in the global community.