By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

Kenya has officially waived visa and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirements for all African countries and select Caribbean nations, further cementing its role as a leading proponent of open borders on the continent. Effective immediately, citizens from these regions will only need a valid passport to enter Kenya.

The new policy, approved by Kenya’s Cabinet, excludes nationals from Libya and Somalia, citing security concerns. The visa exemption allows travelers to stay in Kenya for up to two months, while members of the East African Community (EAC) retain their longer six-month visa-free access.

President William Ruto welcomed the policy shift as a milestone for pan-African integration and regional mobility. “This is about opening Africa to Africans and creating real opportunities for travel, trade, and tourism,” he said during a regional press briefing in Nairobi.

The announcement builds on Kenya’s January 2025 move to remove ETA requirements for nearly all African countries. At that time, Somalia and Libya were also excluded over concerns linked to cross-border threats and instability, particularly the ongoing activities of extremist groups.

The government has pledged to bolster this visa liberalization with faster processing systems for travelers from other countries, strengthened passenger data collection, and modernized border security.

Kenya’s immigration reforms echo similar moves by countries like Rwanda, Benin, and The Gambia, as momentum grows across Africa for greater continental mobility in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

However, critics have raised questions about the capacity of Kenya’s infrastructure and border controls to manage the anticipated rise in visitor numbers. Nairobi insists that security will remain tight, with new digital surveillance systems being rolled out across key ports of entry.

The decision is also expected to boost Kenya’s status as a hub for pan-African business, education, and diplomacy.