The Kenyan government has announced that it will abolish the visa requirement for Comoros citizens by the end of 2023. This means that Comoros citizens will be able to travel to Kenya without a visa, as long as they have a valid passport.
The decision was made by President William Ruto during a state visit to Comoros on Thursday to celebrate their 48th Independence Day.
“I give you a commitment that Kenya shall abolish the requirement of visas for all persons holding valid travel documents issued by the Union of the Comoros into Kenya, before the end of 2023,” he said in his address.
According to the Head of State, the decision was part of a broader effort to strengthen relations between Kenya and Comoros.
“Let us embrace the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, as we work hand in hand to address common challenges, such as climate change, regional security, and economic development,” he said.
The president further pledged to stand with Comoros as a proactive collaborator in all endeavors, including the facilitation of people-to-people exchanges, promotion of investment, and sharing of experiences in sustainable tourism practices.
The abolition of the visa requirement is expected to boost tourism and trade between Kenya and Comoros. It will also make it easier for Comoros citizens to visit Kenya for business or to study.
This is not the first time that Kenya has abolished the visa requirement for citizens of another country. In 2022, Kenya abolished the visa requirement for citizens of Eritrea. Kenya has also abolished the visa requirement for citizens of South Africa.