President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced that all Africans visiting Kenya will be issued with visas at points of entry.
Delivering his maiden speech after being sworn in for his second and final term at the Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday, the President said Kenya will open up its borders to promote free movement and enable free trade.
“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,” he said.
He added: “Today, I am directing that any African wishing to visit Kenya will be eligible to receive a visa at the port of entry. To underscore Kenya’s commitment, this shall not be done on the basis of reciprocity.”
The head of state also ordered that citizens from East African Community nationals be allowed work in Kenya freely without work permits.
“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.
“As l welcome you, l remind you that equally you shall be subject to the same rules and laws as your Kenyan brothers and sisters,” he said.
“You are our closest friends; our fate and yours are joined at the hip; our troubles and triumphs are yours, and yours are ours. I will work with you, my brothers, the leaders of the East African Community, to bring a renewed energy and optimism to our union,” he stressed.
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