Ruto: Kenya will be a visa-free country from January 2024

President William Ruto has announced Kenya will become a visa-free country from January next year.

Speaking during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations on Tuesday at the historic Uhuru Gardens, the President said it shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry what he termed as "the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya".

"To echo the call of the Turkana people to the world: Tobong’u Lorre! Kenya has a simple message to

humanity: Welcome Home!" Ruto said.

"This is why, the Government has abolished the requirement of visas for all our visitors."

The head of state said to implement the new policy, the government has developed a digital platform to ensure that all travellers to Kenya are identified in advance on an electronic platform.

"All travellers will obtain electronic travel authorisation," Ruto added saying "Kenya is the home of humanity, a scientific fact that fills us with pride and underscores our rich heritage".

The President in November during the Three Basins Climate Change Conference in Brazzaville, Congo announced that Africans intending to travel to Kenya in 2024 will no longer require visas.

Ruto has been a proponent of abolishing visa requirements which he says aims to boost trade and allow goods, services, people and ideas to move freely across the African continent.

The President said the removal of barriers was necessary to facilitate the implementation of the African continental free trade area.

Some of the countries whose nationals currently enjoy visa exemptions to enter Kenya include Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Zambia.

Others include Singapore, Cyprus, Malaysia, Barbados, Fiji and Jamaica.