The Kenyan Foreign Affairs Ministry has set up structures to actualize what President Uhuru Kenyatta announced at the inauguration for his second term in office. Mr. Kenyatta had directed that all Africans wishing to visit Kenya be issued with visas at various points of entry.
Speaking during his maiden speech following his inauguration for a second term in office at the Kasarani Stadium, the Head of State expressed hope that this would prompt other African states to open up their borders in order to promote free movement. He stated that the visas would not be issued on a reciprocal basis and was made to enable free trade and cooperation with the various African nations. Already, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana have launched similar moves.
In the President’s words, “The freer we are to travel and live with one another, the more integrated and appreciative of our diversity, we will become. The political balkanization that risks our mutual security, the negative politics of identity, will recede as our brotherhood expands to embrace more Africans”.
President Kenyatta further announced that all East African Community nationals are free to work in Kenya without work permits with all that is needed being their national IDs and for them to observe the stipulated laws. “As a mark of our continued commitment to you, our Brothers and Sisters in the East African Community; from today, you will be treated like Kenyans. Like your Kenyan brothers and sisters, you will need only your identity card. You can now work, do business; own property, farm and if you wish, and find a willing partner, you can marry and settle in Kenya,” he stated.
When the Kenyan leader made the pronouncements, analysts went to great length to say that the man was playing politics with immigration. Now, reports from Nairobi have confirmed that the new policy – Visas at entry points for all Africans, has taken effect. The Kenyan Immigration Office, which works directly under the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that the decision was driven by the country’s desire for deeper regional integration.
