The Kenya High Commission in Botswana on Friday, April 12, announced the exemption of Botswana citizens from the electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system.
In a notice dated April 9, the high commission stated that Botswana citizens would no longer pay eTA fees after submitting their applications.
“The High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in Botswana presents its compliments to the general public and wishes to inform you that the Government of Kenya has exempted Botswana Nationals from paying Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) fees,” read part of the notice.
In March, the Botswana government revealed plans to engage Kenya to allow for the exemption of its citizens from eTA.
Botswana's President noted the eTA system was costly for its citizens and thus it would be significant to scrap the charges.
"A high-level consultative meeting on the possible exemption of Botswanan citizens from Kenya's eTA requirements is on the cards," noted Botswana President.
In February, Kenya also exempted seven other countries from paying eTA. The countries included Comoros, The Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique, San Marino and South Africa.
This is after the said countries argued that the eTA system contravened the earlier agreement with Kenya over travel policy.
“These countries had concluded visa abolition agreements or signed bilateral visa waiver agreements with the Republic of Kenya,” read part of the notice.
It is worth noting that East African countries have also been exempted from the new travel authorisation system.
In January this year, the government scrapped the visa policy and replaced it with the eTA system. The system allows for the identification of travellers in advance to determine their eligibility to travel to Kenya.
The system was put in place to streamline and simplify the process for persons seeking to travel to Kenya.
