In June, Kenya will share updates with the East African Community (EAC) about travel to the country. The Kenyan government decided to give a six-month break to its six partner nations, including Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. This break means these countries don’t have to apply or pay for the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) during this time. Somalia, the eighth member of the bloc, is still not considered in this exemption.
Mr. Nixon Ng’ang’a, the Director of Communications at the Interior Affairs ministry, shared that they are working to streamline the region’s interests. EAC nationals will get the eTA for free. They are developing a system to recognize various EAC documents for travel within the region. Some of these documents don’t comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The six months will be used to align regional interests and comply with international travel protocols.
The ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that manages international air navigation principles. It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
A statement signed by Mr. Evelyn Cheluget, the director general of the Kenya State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services, mentions that EAC state travelers are exempted for the first six months from applying for eTA. After this period, all travelers to Kenya, except those exempted, must apply for eTA at least three days before their travel, replacing the Visa system. The application has a fee of $30 (about Shs114,000) per visitor.
Kenya started the eTA system on January 1 for all foreigners, except those exempted. Some Ugandans in Kenya, especially those who regularly travel, were uncertain about the eTA after the exempted six months. Mr. William Kidima, a leader of Ugandan traders in Mombasa, mentioned they were told they could operate freely for six months in Kenya, but details about what happens after six months are unclear. EAC member states’ travelers currently only need valid national identity cards or passports to enter Kenya.
