Editor's Review

According to the notice, all travellers coming to Kenya will be required to apply and pay for the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before travel.

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration under the Department of Immigration and Citizen Services has started implementing President William Ruto's Visa-free directive. 

The Ministry in a notice announced the launch of a new website for the application of the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

According to the notice, all travellers coming to Kenya will be required to apply and pay for the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before travel. 

The newly launched digital platform is www.etakenya.go.ke where travellers will get authorization to get into the country without being required to have a Visa. 

So far, the first batch of travellers with no Visas arrived in the country on Friday, January 5.

File image of travellers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. PHOTO | COURTESY

However, during the implementation, the following categories of travellers will be excluded;

Holders of valid Kenya Passports or one-way Emergency Certificate issued by Kenya Missions abroad.

Holders of Kenya Permanent Residence, valid Work Permits and Passes.

Holders of valid United Nations Conventional Travel Document issued by the Government of Kenya.

Members of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations Accredited to Kenya.

Citizens of the East African Partner States; These countries include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. (Exempted for Six (6) months)

All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the precincts of Airports in Kenya.

 All passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship, and who do not leave the ship.

Members of crew of any ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier, whose name and particulars are included in the crew manifest of the ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier, and who is proceeding in such ship, aircraft, train, vehicle or carrier to a destination outside Kenya.