Travellers from across Africa can now visit Kenya without the need for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), following a landmark decision by the Cabinet to waive the requirement for all African nations except Somalia and Libya.

The resolution, made during the year’s first Cabinet meeting at State Lodge, Kakamega, chaired by President William Ruto, aims to bolster regional integration, promote open skies policies, and drive tourism growth.

“This initiative aims to promote regional integration and ease travel across the continent. Most African visitors will be allowed a two-month stay, while East African Community (EAC) nationals will continue to enjoy a six-month stay under EAC free movement protocols,” read the Cabinet’s resolution.

The eTA, a semi-automated system that determines eligibility for visitors travelling to Kenya, previously required applicants to submit their request online at least three days prior to their journey, paying $30 (about Sh3,870) for permission to travel for up to 90 days.

Before this decision, only 17 countries were exempt from the eTA system.

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The government’s decision comes with exceptions for Somalia and Libya, citing security concerns.

Meanwhile, a series of measures has been proposed to enhance the eTA system for those still required to use it.

The Cabinet resolved, “To improve efficiency, an expedited eTA processing option will be introduced, allowing travellers to receive approval instantly, with processing time capped at 72 hours based on operational capacity.”

Additionally, Kenya plans to strengthen security and streamline passenger processing through the introduction of an Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record system.

This initiative, according to the Cabinet, will “enhance prescreening, strengthen security, and streamline passenger processing at entry points.”

The ministries of National Treasury, Transport, Interior, and Tourism have been tasked to review and propose guidelines within a week to improve the overall experience for travellers using Kenyan airports.

With this decision, the government hopes to position Kenya as a more accessible destination for African visitors, fostering economic ties and creating a seamless travel experience that aligns with the nation’s commitment to regional cooperation.