Kenya’s decision to offer visa-free entry to all foreigners has stirred controversy. President William Ruto introduced this policy last month to encourage visa-free travel within Africa.
Despite the visa-free entry, visitors must obtain electronic travel authorization (ETA) by submitting documents and paying a $30 processing fee. This requirement now applies to citizens of countries that previously had unrestricted access to Kenya. Authorities have received over 9,000 visa applications through the digital platform.
Foreigners are unhappy, citing confusion and increased difficulty and cost of traveling to Kenya. Critics argue that the new policy has made travel more challenging for Africans who previously didn’t need a visa. Concerns also arise among Kenyans about potential boycotts by some foreigners or reciprocal measures from other countries due to these stricter restrictions.
Kenya Visa Policy, Backlash, Recent Changes, Travel Restrictions, Public Reaction