Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) executive director Jacqueline Mugo. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Employers have welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Tuesday
announcement that Kenya is opening its borders to Africans, arguing it
is a step in the right direction.
Mr Kenyatta
announced, shortly after he was sworn in for a second term, that any
African wishing to visit Kenya will be eligible to get a visa on
arrival.
Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) executive
director Jacqueline Mugo said that aside from making movement easier,
issuance of visas on arrival will save costs and time.
“This
is a positive thing and is exactly what we have been asking for in
order to enable Africa present itself to the world as one market,” she
said.
The rise of economic emigrants, security and
sovereignty are among the reasons countries introduced travel visas as
it enables immigration authorities to vet applicants.
Director
of Immigration, Maj Gen (Rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa said he could not give
an authoritative analysis of the Executive directive at the moment.
“At
the point of making this directive, a lot of thought had gone into it,
but we need to look at it closely and come up with the modalities of how
it shall work,” he said.
Kenya is currently grappling
with drug trafficking and the terrorism menace, which some fear could
escalate with the blanket opening up of the borders.
Mr Kihalangwa noted that incoming visitors will still be vetted to ensure only well-meaning people get into the country.
Currently,
only 13 out of 55 countries in Africa have allowed liberal entry -
described as vis- free or visa on arrival access - to other African
countries, meaning Africans cannot freely access 76 per cent of their
continent.
Countries that are currently visa-free for Africans include Rwanda, Benin and Mauritius.
From
mid-last year, Ghana introduced a visa-on-arrival policy for citizens
of African Union member states. Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)
chairperson Flora Mutahi said opening up Kenya’s borders is a good step
towards increasing Kenya’s attractiveness to investors.
“Incidentally
the business case for opening up borders across the continent is strong
and highlights a crucial ingredient in building and sustenance of
formidable economies that will secure the future of Africa,” said Ms
Mutahi.
During
Tuesday’s announcement, Mr Kenyatta explained that the directive was in
line with his Pan-Africanist vision and would be implemented without a
demand for reciprocity from other countries.
Sceptics
say opening up the borders may have good motives, but may produce
devastating results going forward as is currently the case in the United
States of America.
The US has the largest population
than any other country and President Donald Trump was recently compelled
to sign tough immigration orders including banning travellers from six
Muslim majority countries.
The
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) also threw its weight
behind stakeholders that have applauded Mr Kenyatta’s directive, noting
that it was a bold move that should be emulated by African states.
“The
decision by the President will ease movement of persons on the
continent and promote fast economic growth in the region and on the
African continent,” said Mr Francis Atwoli, Cotu secretary- general, in a
statement.
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