•President Ruto said that Kenya is the home of humanity, a scientific fact that fills us with pride and underscores our rich heritage.
•The digital platform will ensure all travellers to Kenya are identified in advance on an electronic platform.
Image: ENOS TECHE
President William Ruto has said that by the beginning of 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country.
He was speaking on Tuesday during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens.
"It is with great pleasure, as President of this extraordinary country to make a historic announcement of the decision of the Government of Kenya," he said.
"Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country."
President Ruto said that Kenya is the home of humanity, a scientific fact that fills us with pride and underscores our rich heritage.
For this reason, he said 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," he said.
Ruto further said to implement the new policy, they have developed a new digital platform.
The digital platform will ensure all travellers to Kenya are identified in advance on an electronic platform.
"All travellers will obtain electronic travel authorisation," Ruto said.
President Ruto on December 9, during the Youth Connekt Africa Summit maintained that Africa should abolish visa requirements for its population.
He said the visa requirements were brought about by European nations which have since abandoned them.
Ruto explained that Kenya as a country is in full support of the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area which seeks to create a borderless market for African entrepreneurs and businesses.
“I am very persuaded and we all know what borderless countries have done, the people who taught us about visas because we didn’t have visas, our good brothers from Europe came and taught us about visas and I addressed the European parliament a few weeks ago,” Ruto said.
Abolishing Visa requirements, the President said, will further boost economic integration on the continent.
He said that the European Parliament said that despite Europe having a population of 450 million people, they have abolished visas for 27 countries.
“Explain to me why we should continue having visas in our continent when those who taught us about visas have abandoned them," Ruto added.