Deputy President Kithure Kindiki convened a crucial meeting with four Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) to review Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which was introduced in January 2024. The meeting was aimed at ensuring the continuous improvement of the system, which aims to facilitate smoother entry for travelers to Kenya, promoting tourism, business, and social engagements.
The CSs present included Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior and National Administration), Rebecca Miano (Tourism and Wildlife), Davies Chirchir (Roads and Transport), and Alfred Mutua (Labour and Social Protection). Also attending were Principal Secretaries Julius Bitok (Immigration), John Ololtuua (Tourism), Sylvia Museiya (Wildlife), Mohamed Daghar (Transport), Dr. Idris Salim Dokota (Cabinet Affairs), and Teresia Mbaika (Devolution), alongside key government officials from Immigration and Citizen Services, eCitizen, and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The ETA system requires travelers to obtain advance authorization before entering Kenya, a move that came in the wake of the country’s transition to a visa-free policy for visitors from all nations. While this policy was expected to increase Kenya’s accessibility and appeal to global travelers, concerns have emerged about its impact on the country’s ranking as one of the most accessible destinations, suggesting that the process may not have been as seamless as initially hoped.
Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to refining the ETA system. Kindiki assured that the meeting was an essential step toward ensuring that the system works efficiently and meets the expectations of international visitors. He highlighted the government’s determination to maintain Kenya’s status as a welcoming country for travelers, particularly by improving the convenience of the travel authorization process.
President William Ruto has consistently emphasized Kenya’s role as a hub of human history and culture. In line with this, he recently announced that starting January 2024, Kenya would no longer require visas, making it one of the few countries in the world to implement a visa-free policy for all nationalities, underscoring Kenya’s rich heritage and commitment to global engagement.
