Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that from January, tourists from around the world will no longer require a visa to visit Kenya, CNN reports.
Ruto said the government developed a digital platform to ensure that all visitors do not apply for a visa but get an electronic travel authorisation in advance. He noted in a speech in the capital Nairobi at an event to mark 60 years of independence from Britain:
“It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya.”
President Ruto has long been a proponent of visa-free travel on the African continent. In October, at a conference in the Republic of Congo, he announced that by the end of 2023, African residents will not need a visa to visit Kenya.
The tourism industry plays an important role in Kenya’s economy, offering beach holidays on the Indian Ocean coast and wildlife safaris inland. He said:
“Kenya has a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home!”
