Govt Introduces New Measure for Travelers Leaving Kenya

Terminal 1 A of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
Terminal 1 A of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
File
KAA

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has directed all International travellers to have digital verification of Covid-19 certificates at border points from Monday, January 11.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, the CS stated that the Ministry had rolled out an online system to authenticate and verify travelers' COVID-19 certificates in line with the guidelines of the Trusted Travel Initiative ( TT ).

"I, therefore, wish to notify travelers to first visit an authorized laboratory to take an RT PCR COVID - 19 test and be issued with Trusted Travel ( TT ) codes that can be verified by airlines and Port Health authorities," he stated.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addressing the media on November 26, 2020
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addressing the media on November 26, 2020
File

Kagwe stated that a travel code would only be issued to a traveler only if he or she met the exit and entry requirements of Kenya.

"In-bound travelers from countries yet to onboard to the Trusted Travel Initiative will use a tool made available through the UNDP - supported Global. Haven partnership for Covid - 19 test results and vaccine certificates verification."

The Ministry announced that no traveler would depart from the country without verification of their certificates using the TT process.

In addition, no laboratories are permitted to issue COVID-19 certificates without TT codes from 9th January 2021.

Kagwe stated that the digital services would be issued at no cost to citizens or related government agencies as a result of collaboration with AU bodies, UN institutions, technology companies, telecom operators and standards

organizations.

The CS urged all citizens and organizations to cooperate and comply to guarantee the safe reopening of Kenya to the rest of the world.

Kagwe acknowledged that the virus had negatively affected trade, tourism and other economic activities around the world.

"To mitigate against these effects and to allow for economic activities dependent on International travel, many governments are requiring travellers to present negative COVID-19 certificates at various ports of entry," Kagwe stated.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) International Arrival Terminal. Thursday, February 14, 2020
A file image of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) International Arrival Terminal taken on Thursday, February 14, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke