Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday met at least
four Cabinet Secretaries to review the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
system that was introduced in January last year.
The CSs include Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior and National Administration), Rebecca Miano (Tourism and Wildlife), Davies Chirchir (Roads and Transport), and Alfred Mutua (Labour and Social Protection).
Kindiki said the meeting was to ensure continuous improvement of the ETA system to guarantee greater convenience to travellers in Kenya for business, tourism and social purposes.
The policy measure requires travellers to obtain an advance travel authorisation to get into the country. It was introduced after Kenya adopted a visa-free policy for all travellers coming into Kenya from any other country.
The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretaries; Julius Bitok (Immigration and Citizen Services), John Ololtuua(Tourism), Sylvia Museiya (Wildlife), Mohamed Daghar (Transport), Dr. Idris Salim Dokota (Cabinet Affairs) and Teresia Mbaika (Devolution).
Evelyn Cheluget (Director General, Immigration and Citizen Services), Amb. Isaac Ochieng (Director General, eCitizen), Dr Erastus Kanga (Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service) and other senior government officials were also present.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of concerns that the ETA system has led to Kenya’s ranking among most accessible countries drop significantly.
The government has, however, maintained that it remains keen on reviewing the policy to make it even better and easier for visitors to come to Kenya.
President William Ruto has often insisted that Kenya is the home of humanity, and is a scientific fact that fills Kenyans with pride and underscores its 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.
"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."
