South Africa to relax visa rule for Kenyans

Kenya is all set to benefit from a new visa regime by South Africa that is aimed at increasing intra-Africa travel. South Africa has announced it will start issuing visas on arrival for travellers from selected countries, including Kenya.

The two countries have been involved in critical dialogues that developed into a diplomatic row. Kenya even threatened to introduce a new travel rule requiring South African passport holders to apply for a visa prior to traveling or transiting through the country after the latter refused to reciprocate.

South African Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom has, however, said his country is in the process of revising its visa regime. The minister also said Kenya was among the countries that would benefit from the new arrangement, with those who make their applications online set to be issued with the document upon landing.

“I do not really understand why it (visa requirement) has not been lifted on other countries, especially for a country like Kenya,” said Hanekom. The new President Cyril Ramaphosa had taken a keen interest in the matter as he was the chairman of the committee that was tasked with coming up with revisions to the country’s visa regime. “It is sad that to connect to some African countries one has to fly to Europe,” added Hanekom.