Kenya has said it has lifted visa requirements for many African and Caribbean countries, but has specifically exempted Somalia and Libya from the scheme, citing security concerns.
The new decision means that Somali citizens will still not have the opportunity to enter Kenya directly without filling out lengthy forms, paying visa fees or applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which is now waived for most other African countries.
According to the Kenyan government, African citizens from eligible countries can now easily land at Kenya’s border without facing the legal hurdles that previously existed. They will be allowed to stay in the country for two months, while citizens of the East African Community (EAC) will continue to be allowed to stay for six months.
The Kenyan Cabinet said the move is part of a broader plan to strengthen regional integration and boost the tourism sector, through the open skies policy.
Kenyan President William Ruto has said that the easing of entry is crucial to improving relations between African countries, and is aimed at facilitating travel within borders.
An official letter issued by the Kenyan government in January 2025 indicated that Somalia and Libya had been removed from the list of countries exempted from the EFTA, as part of Kenya’s strategy to improve the travel experience.
