Uhuru waives visa fees for children to spur tourism

President Kenyatta with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and other guests during the opening of EnglishPoint Marina in Mombasa on January 12, 2016. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT 

By SIMON CIURI and GITONGA MARETE

In Summary

• The move, which effectively marks an end to long queues of children seeking visas on arrival, comes as yet another incentive to attract tourists who have shunned the country over the last three years due to insecurity concerns.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday announced plans to waive visa fees for children under the age of 16 in yet another move aimed at wooing foreign visitors into the country.

Kenya currently charges Sh10,200 ($100) for a multiple entry visa and Sh5,100 for single entry tourist visa. The fees apply to all visitors, including children under 16.

The official guideline at the Directorate of Immigration and Registration of Persons indicates that all children under 16 require a visa unless they are on the same passport as a parent.

“Starting February, visa fees for children under 16 will be waived for us to encourage family packages,” President Kenyatta said in Mombasa on Tuesday at the official opening of the English Point Marina, a luxury establishment that incorporates a hotel, restaurant, gym, a pontoon marina and apartments.

The move, which effectively marks an end to long queues of children seeking visas on arrival, comes as yet another incentive to attract tourists who have shunned the country over the last three years due to insecurity concerns.

President Kenyatta also announced reduction of park fees from $90 (Sh9,450) to $60 (Sh6,300) in a move targeting both the local and foreign tourists.

VAT amendments

Last week, players in the tourism industry called on the government to reduce park entry fees arguing that the prohibitive rates were a key reason wildlife enthusiasts were looking elsewhere.

The Kenya Association of Tour Operators Coast branch had suggested that park charges be reduced to at least Sh4,000 to attract more tourists to the parks.

Chairperson Monika Solanki proposed that Kenya Wildlife Service be prevailed upon to slash entry fees, arguing that the country was losing wildlife lovers to other destinations with lower park entry charges such as South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

She said some prime parks in South Africa charge $50 (Sh5,100) while Tanzania and Uganda charge between $40 (Sh4,800) and $50 (Sh5,000), with Uganda’s charging up to $25 (Sh2,500).

Mr Kenyatta directed Treasury secretary Henry Rotich to initiate necessary amendments in the VAT Act to incorporate removal of value added tax on park fees to actualise the new changes.

In a raft of measures aimed at propping up the sector that has had a dent in the past three years, the President also said owners of tourist establishments would be assisted to secure funding to improve their facilities.