The Cabinet has approved a landmark decision to exempt travellers from all African countries from the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) as part of efforts to enhance regional integration, promote tourism growth, and support open skies policies.
An eTA is a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to Kenya, granting permission for stays of up to 90 days for a fee of $30 (about Sh3,870). However, Somalia and Libya remain exempted from the waiver due to ongoing security concerns.
“This initiative aims to promote regional integration and ease travel across the continent. Most African visitors will be allowed a two-month stay, while East African Community (EAC) nationals will continue to enjoy a six-month stay under EAC free movement protocols,” the Cabinet resolution stated.
The decision, made during the first Cabinet meeting of 2025 chaired by President William Ruto at State Lodge, Kakamega, also seeks to enhance the efficiency of the eTA system to improve the traveller experience.
To ensure smoother operations, travellers must still apply for an eTA online at least three days before their trip unless they are citizens of an exempted country. An expedited processing option will be introduced, providing approvals instantly or within a maximum of 72 hours.
Additionally, the Cabinet resolved to introduce an Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record system to enhance pre-screening, improve security, and streamline passenger processing at entry points.
Cabinet Secretaries from the ministries of National Treasury, Transport, Interior, and Tourism have been tasked to review and propose guidelines to enhance the traveller experience at Kenyan airports, with a detailed report due by Wednesday next week.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano highlighted the positive trends in Kenya’s tourism sector. Visitor numbers to game reserves increased by 43% in 2024, reaching 3.64 million, up from 2.54 million in 2023. International tourist arrivals rose to 2.4 million in 2024, compared to 2.08 million the previous year.
Miano also noted that the digitization of tourism services contributed to revenue growth, rising from Sh5.35 billion in the 2022/23 financial year to Sh7.6 billion in 2023/24. To combat climate challenges, the government has constructed 21 water pans and 4 boreholes in the Tsavo conservation area.
What was the main reason behind the Cabinet’s decision to exempt African travellers from the eTA system? The resolution emphasized fostering regional integration, supporting tourism growth, and facilitating easier movement across the continent. Could there be additional motivations, such as enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness as a regional travel hub?
