Somalia Left Out as Kenya Drops Visa Requirements for African Countries

In a major policy shift aimed at boosting pan-African travel and integration, the Kenyan government has removed Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for all African countries—with the exception of Somalia and Libya.

While the move has been widely welcomed across the continent, Somalia remains excluded due to ongoing security concerns. According to Kenyan authorities, Somalia is still considered a high-risk country, primarily because of persistent cross-border attacks by armed groups based within its territory.

Kenya has experienced repeated violent incidents, including bombings and ambushes, linked to groups operating from Somalia. These security threats, often launched across the porous Kenya–Somalia border, have led Nairobi to take a more cautious stance on travel arrangements involving Somali nationals.

In contrast, citizens from other African nations can now visit Kenya visa-free for up to two months, while East African Community (EAC) member states—such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi—can stay for up to six months in line with regional free movement protocols.

The exclusion of Somalia underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region and how they continue to limit mobility and opportunities for ordinary Somali citizens seeking to engage in travel, trade, and regional cooperation.