Former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has criticized President William Ruto's move to declare Kenya visa-free to the world.
In a statement on his X page, the former legislator said the move is ill-timed.
Kinyanjui said the visa system operates to ensure the protection of Kenyans.
"The decision to make Kenya visa-free is ill-timed. The world is full of good and bad people, and it is the responsibility of the state to protect its national interests. The visa system operates to ensure that persons of dubious character or danger do not gain access to the country," he said.
Kinyanjui said the country must seek to protect its citizens from terrorism, money laundering, drug lords and other international crime rings.
"With unemployment and the cost of living at soaring levels, can the country afford migrants coming to seek employment in Kenya? He asked.
"The existence of many neighbouring countries experiencing instability and a visa-free policy without clarity on how the Electronic Travel Authorisation will be implemented is an explosive cocktail."
The former legislator said that the country's passport is likely to get a downgrade because of the visa-free policy.
He said the open visa policy is a move that is likely to have adverse consequences on the country.
Ruto on Tuesday declared that any foreigner visiting Kenya would not be required to obtain a visa beginning January.
"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."
The President declared the incentive as a move aimed at boosting tourism.
"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,” President Ruto said.
The President said the government has developed a digital platform to identify travellers seeking to enter Kenya in advance.
Visa-free entry means travellers can enter a host country without the need for a visa although visitors will still need passports to enter visa-free states.
Governments usually offer visa-free travel to strengthen diplomatic relations with receiving countries or for economic purposes like boosting tourism.
In November, Rwanda announced that Africans will no longer require a visa to visit Rwanda.
Speaking at the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council, Rwanda President Paul Kagame noted that such measures are aimed at boosting the free movement of people and trade.
"Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and they will not pay a thing to enter our country. We should not lose sight of our continental market," he said
"Africans are the future of global tourism as our middle class continues to grow at a fast pace in the decades to come."