JKIA
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The Kenyan government has announced a thorough review of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.
This decision, approved during a Cabinet meeting led by President William Ruto on December 17 at State House, Nairobi, aims to address concerns from stakeholders and boost tourist numbers. The Cabinet's statement emphasizes that the review is integral to improving Kenya's competitiveness in the tourism sector while accommodating a rising influx of visitors.
This initiative aligns with the government's ambitious goal of attracting 5 million tourists by 2027. The move follows the introduction of Visa-Free entry, which has already proven instrumental in enhancing the country's appeal to international travellers. Recent statistics indicate that Kenya is projected to welcome 2.5 million tourists in 2024, a significant increase from the 2.09 million recorded in 2023.
This growth builds on a 35.4% rise in arrivals from the previous year, signalling a potential increase of 1 million additional visitors over the next two years. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has announced that the review process will commence in January 2025, following the Cabinet recess. A multi-sectoral engagement is scheduled for January 7, 2025, to discuss stakeholder concerns and evaluate findings from the Africa Visa Openness Index.
Miano reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining clear communication with stakeholders throughout this review. The initiative to revise the ETA system comes in response to criticism from CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo, who described the current system as a barrier to achieving Kenya's tourism objectives.
In remarks shared on his X account, Madowo compared Kenya's visa-free entry system to Nigeria's costly visa issuance process, expressing that the requirement to apply for travel authorization in advance, coupled with a $30 (Sh3,900) processing fee, undermines the benefits of a visa-free policy. In December of the preceding year, President Ruto announced the elimination of visa requirements for all travellers to Kenya.
Currently under the ETA framework, visitors must apply ahead of time, submit necessary documentation, and pay the associated fee.