CNN International Correspondent, Larry Madowo, on Tuesday, April 9, faulted Kenya's Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ETA) terming it as a hindrance to the country's goals.
Madowo, taking to his X account, termed Kenya's visa-free system as an ill-advised move and went ahead to compare it to Nigeria's visa issuance system which he described as extremely expensive.
This is after the journalist was forced to spend Ksh27,000 to secure a 1-month single entry visa to Nigeria, which did not make sense to him.
According to the journalist, applicants are made to wait for lengthy periods to get their travel documents approved in Lagos. He lamented that in some instances, it takes up to 5 days to secure approval.
"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.
Madowo further alleged that for someone to acquire faster travel approval, they had to part with at least Ksh6,000.
The journalist while expressing his displeasure with the visa charges by Nigeria, noted the charges hindered the much anticipated borderless Africa.
"The visa itself costs $25 but Nigeria charges a $20 "processing fee" and $170 for biometrics every time," Madowo claimed.
"In the 3 weeks since I was last in Lagos, I went to Uganda, South Africa and Ghana where I don't need a Visa with a Kenyan passport."
In December last year, President William Ruto announced the abolishment of the Visa requirement for all individuals travelling to Kenya.
Speaking during Jamhuri Day celebrations in 2023, the President stated that Kenya is the home of humanity and no one should need to acquire a visa to travel home.
In the new system, visitors need to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by submitting documentation and paying a $30 (£23) processing fee.
