Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced on Monday, July 17, that Kenya has reached an agreement with Senegal for visa-free travel.
The deal was reached after a consultative meeting between the Kenyan delegation, led by President William Ruto, and their West African counterparts, headed by President Macky Sall of Senegal.
Mutua confirmed that the Senegalese government has reciprocated Kenya's initiative by granting permission for Kenyan passport holders to enter Senegal without requiring a visa.
"This is a great step towards enhancing regional integration and free movement of Africans within Africa. This will grow trade between our two countries and open up tourism and education opportunities for citizens of both Nations," Mutua said in a statement.
However, the move was met with some confusion with a section claiming they have travelled in the past to the West African nation without a visa, while others maintained it was a key requirement.
"We have been here for many years and never needed a visa to enter Senegal. On arrival we have always been welcomed with open arms," a Kenyan stated.
Others questioned the finer details of the agreement considering the visa-free deal was already present.
According to the Senegalese government site, before the announcement, Kenyans did not require a visa on entry and once acquired, the foreigner can be in the country for 90 days.
All visitors should have a passport valid for a minimum of six months from the date of arrival and the passport should have at least two blank pages for visa stamping.
However, some argued that when visiting Senegal, they were required to get a visa. One Kim Musau who embarked on a drive from Nairobi to Portugal complained of the immigration officers in Senegal demanding a visa.
"They ask for a visa, I guess it's not visa-free after all Kenyans. It is also not on arrival though there are arguments people get it at the airport but this is still not advisable," Musau stated.
According to one of the travelers, if a Kenyan has a US or Schengen visa they were required to produce a visa while entering Senegal.
"I was going to Senegal last May, and there was a visa requirement. As a Kenyan you had to get a visa from the embassy here, have proof of a return flight, accommodation, recommendation letter," another added.
The government is on a move to increase countries where Kenyans can travel visa-free. Some of these countries include Ghana, Botswana, Benin, Dominica, Cuba, Cook Islands, Barbados, and Bahamas among others.
