Tinotenda Hove – Kenya has officially scrapped visa requirements for citizens of all African countries, in a major policy shift aimed at promoting free movement, boosting tourism, and reinforcing continental integration.

Under the new rules, travellers from across Africa no longer need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), complete lengthy application forms, or pay any visa-related fees before entering Kenya. Instead, eligible visitors can now arrive at the border and enter the country without bureaucratic hurdles.

However, the Kenyan government has excluded Libya and Somalia from the visa-free policy, citing security concerns.

“As part of efforts to support open skies policies and tourism growth, a key proposal is to grant ETA exemptions to all African countries, except Somalia and Libya,” a cabinet dispatch stated.

The move is expected to significantly simplify travel into Kenya .

According to government guidelines, visitors from the continent will be allowed to stay in Kenya for up to two months, while East African Community (EAC) nationals will continue to enjoy a six-month stay, in line with existing free movement protocols.

President William Ruto has championed the initiative, saying that easing travel restrictions is vital to Africa’s economic integration and stronger inter-state ties.

“We believe simplifying entry procedures will enhance cross-border mobility and strengthen Kenya’s relationship with the rest of the continent,” Ruto said during a recent address.

In a January 2025 update, the Kenyan government also announced further steps to improve the travel experience. These include:

• A new passenger information system to enhance pre-screening and security at entry points.
• An improved ETA platform to enable instant or 72-hour approvals, depending on system capacity.

The visa waiver is being hailed as a bold step toward the African Union’s long-term goal of promoting intra-African mobility, trade, and economic growth—making Kenya one of the few African nations to unilaterally open its borders to the continent