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Under a new cabinet directive, Kenya will allow citizens of almost all African countries to visit them without prior permission.
Last year, Kenya introduced a “visa-free” policy that required most visitors to apply for authorization online before leaving their country.
But the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which replaced the visa requirement for all visitors, has been criticized as a “visa by another name”.
A cabinet statement on Tuesday said ETA would be lifted for “all African countries except Somalia and Libya – for security reasons”.
It said it was part of “efforts to support the open skies policy and the growth of tourism” as well as “promote regional integration and facilitate travel across the continent”.
Despite the introduction of the ETA, Kenya fared worse in the latest ranking of how open it is to visitors, falling 17 places to 46th out of 54 countries in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index.
Several African countries have tried to ease travel requirements for visitors from other parts of the continent in recent years, and studies show that Western citizens often find it easier to visit.
Earlier this year, Ghana said all African passport holders now it would be possible to visit without a visa. African visitors to Rwanda also do not need a visa to enter the country.
The African Union (AU) is promoting a move to make it easier to travel across the continent.
Under the updated system, citizens of most African countries will be allowed to enter Kenya and stay without an ETA for up to two months.
However, members of the East African Community, which includes Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, can stay for up to six months, according to the bloc’s policy.
Kenya also says it will introduce an enhanced process “that allows travelers to receive instant approval” and a maximum processing time of 72 hours.
It is unclear when this will take effect. Several ministries have been tasked with coming up with recommendations within a week to improve the “traveller experience at all airports in Kenya,” according to a cabinet statement.
Before the introduction of the ETA, visitors from more than 40 countries, including several from Africa, could arrive in Kenya, get their passports stamped and enter without paying anything.
All travelers must now apply and pay for an ETA at least three days before traveling to Kenya, unless they are citizens of a tax-exempt country.
The ETA fee is $30 (£24) and is valid for 90 days.
The policy has faced criticism, with some noting that it could make it more difficult for potential guests to enter the country.
Kenya has said there is a security element to the new system, with a government spokesman last year telling the BBC it was needed to screen travellers.
The country has been targeted by al-Shabaab jihadist militants from neighboring Somalia in several high-profile attacks.
On Tuesday, the government said it was also introducing a system that would improve “pre-screening, strengthen security and streamline the processing of passengers at points of entry”.
