Kenya has officially lifted visa requirements for all African countries and most Caribbean nations, removing the need for electronic travel authorization (ETA), lengthy paperwork, and visa fees, except for travelers from Somalia and Libya.

The move, now in effect, allows African visitors to stay in Kenya for up to two months. Citizens of the East African Community (EAC) will continue to benefit from a six-month stay under the bloc’s existing free movement arrangement.

According to sources, transit passengers with layovers of up to 12 hours are now permitted to leave airport terminals and explore Kenyan cities through a temporary ETA, offering a brief, hassle-free experience without a full visa.

The plan, first unveiled by President William Ruto in January, is part of a broader push to boost tourism, unlock intra-African mobility, and support open skies initiatives. The Cabinet said the reform is aimed at creating seamless travel within the continent and attracting more visitors to Kenya.

“Borders should connect, not separate,” Ruto said earlier this year, emphasizing the country’s vision of regional integration and simplified travel across Africa.

Kenya now joins a growing list of African nations, like Rwanda, Benin, Seychelles and The Gambia, that have already granted full visa-free access to African nationals in recent years, advancing a continent-wide push for freer movement, economic integration and cultural exchange under the African Union’s agenda.