Following the criticism of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, the government has announced plans to review the whole system.
The review approval came after the government gave the green light for the same following a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, December 17, chaired by President William Ruto.
''To further enhance Kenya's competitiveness, the Cabinet sanctioned a review and strengthening of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System, in response to various concerns from stakeholders and to accommodate the increasing number of tourist arrivals,'' read part of the dispatch by the Cabinet.
According to the Cabinet, the decision to give the green light to the approval came after various stakeholders raised key concerns about the ETA.
According to the government streamlining the ETA process will enable the government to meet its target of welcoming 5 million tourists by 2027.
''Affirming Kenya's growing appeal as a destination of choice for foreign tourists, the meeting noted that, driven by the nation's groundbreaking introduction of Visa-Free entry, Kenya is on track to meet its ambitious target of welcoming 5 million tourists by 2027,'' the Cabinet added.
''It is projected that at least 2.5 million tourists will visit in 2024, a significant increase from 2.09 million in 2023. The previous year saw a 35.4% rise in arrivals from 2022, and this surge suggests that tourist numbers are poised to grow by a record 1 million visitors over two years,''
According to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, the engagement on the review will commence in January 2025, after the Cabinet recess.
''We have scheduled a multi-sectoral engagement on January 7, 2025, to review and discuss the ETA in detail based on the concerns raised and the results of the Africa Visa Openness Index. I will keep all stakeholders updated until we improve the visa openness index,'' Miano announced.
The response follows backlash the government received from CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo on Tuesday, 9 April, who criticised Kenya's Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ETA), describing it as a hindrance to the country's goals.
Taking to his X account, Madowo referred to Kenya's visa-free system as an ill-advised move and compared it to Nigeria's visa issuance system, which he described as extremely expensive.
"Nigeria's visa-on-arrival system is similar to the 'visa-free' delusion of Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorization. You apply in advance, submit some documents, and wait for it to be approved," Madowo claimed.
He further alleged that to obtain faster travel approval, one had to pay at least Ksh6,000.
In December last year, President William Ruto announced the abolishment of the Visa requirement for all individuals travelling to Kenya. Under the current system, visitors are required to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by submitting documentation and paying a $30 (£23) equivalent of Ksh3,900 processing fee.
