Kenya's visa policy backfires, causing a drop in visa openness rank

In the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index, Kenya experienced a significant decline in its ranking, dropping 17 places to 46th out of 54 countries. Despite recent changes aimed at making travel easier, such as the introduction of a visa-free policy, the new regulations proved to do the opposite. The implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) necessitated that most travelers from other African nations obtain authorisation online prior to traveling, which critics argue simply created additional barriers to entry. Citizens from East African Community countries are exempt from this requirement, highlighting a regional inconsistency in travel accessibility. The previous system allowed visitors from many nations to enter Kenya without pre-approval, creating a more straightforward travel experience. Critics, including Kenyan entrepreneur Gina Din, have voiced concerns that the ETA is essentially a visa in disguise, adding bureaucratic complications rather than simplifying the process of visiting Kenya. Furthermore, security concerns stemming from threats posed by al-Shabab militants have factored into the Kenyan government's decision to implement these changes. While unauthorized travel has not notably decreased since these changes, the overall perception of accessibility within the continent remains challenged, as evidenced by the declining scores across the board. The findings reinforce the critiques of the current visa system in Africa, which hinder the continent's goals of regional integration and ease of movement for its people, with the report indicating that many Africans still require visas to visit neighboring countries.