Kenya and South Africa sign visa-free travel deal – DW – 11/10/2022

Kenyan president William Ruto and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, held talks in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to explore areas of mutual interest and cooperation. The meeting came less than two months after Ruto was sworn in as president.

Ramaphosa promised to deepen the relationship between South Africa and Kenya. “We recognize that a wonderful foundation… exists between our two countries, (which) gives rise to enormous opportunities that our two countries should capitalize on,” the South African President said.

President Ruto meanwhile stressed that the closed-door meetings at State House Nairobi resulted in various benefits for Kenya:

“They are three memoranda of understanding and one agreement on cooperation in the field of correctional services, cooperation in the field of housing and human settlement” and more, Ruto told reporters.

Visa-free travel for Kenyans

While many of the minutiae of the agreements may not directly affect most citizens of either nation, one major change was especially welcomed by Kenyan leaders and citizens alike: As of the beginning of next year, Kenyan nationals will no longer have to apply for a visa to travel to South Africa on holiday:

“Kenyans holding ordinary passports will be allowed to enter South Africa on a visa-free regime for up to 90 days per calendar year,” the Kenyan leader announced.

However, for those…