- The government received the first batch of foreigners into the country under the visa-free programme on Friday, January 5
- Immigration Department confirmed it received 5,000 applications for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), approving 2,141 for travellers that arrived on Friday
- However, there have been concerns among travellers about the system, with some arguing it will scare away tourists
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Kenya is already receiving foreigners under the visa-free programme.
The government set up the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETR), a document requiring travellers to submit their details before arriving in the country on a visa-free basis.
How ETA works under visa-free programme
Tourists and foreign citizens are required to apply for the ETA and pay $30 (KSh 4,700) or $52 (KSh 8,000 for premium services).
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The authorisation takes 72 hours, a factor that has caught the attention of most tourists coming into the country.
Most travellers raised concerns over the new requirements, which might lead to them missing their flights.
Countries that used to enjoy visa-free entry to Kenya will now be required to pay for ETA
"The old visa was far better than this "not a visa but ETA" system, especially for those who qualified for actual visa-free entry but now have to pay," argued Sean Mendis, an Airline Executive.
What tourists said about the ETA application
@EzekielMacharia said:
"If passengers/travellers reduce, this will be the L of the month. 11 more “L”s to go."
@unewriter noted:
"Guess I’ll be planning my safari trip for another country.
@whozak claimed:
"Family of 4 prices just went up from 100 USD to 120 USD. Ruto is a genius."
@JoeyK_EDA pleaded:
"Can all African nations be exempted from ETA at least."
@NdorongoKihuria claimed:
"Tourists have started complaining of Ruto's "Visa-free" thing. Turns out it was a good money-making scheme through an online platform dubbed ETA."
How many foreigners have entered Kenya visa-free?
According to Bitok, more than 5,000 ETA applications have been received, with 2,141 already approved.
The PS disclosed that the country targets five million tourists annually and KSh 1.5 trillion in tourism revenue.
He maintained open borders is the ultimate tool to spur economic and tourism growth in the country.
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