Kenya and Senegal have inked a deal allowing visa free travel for 90 days for all passport holders from the two countries in bid to power tourism and trade.
The bilateral agreement, signed on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 21 at State House, Nairobi, between Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Senegal’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Niang, will also lift up diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.
The arrangement applies to holders of both diplomatic and ordinary passports and is expected to promote travel, trade, and cultural exchange.
“We recognise the foundations that already exist between our two nations and are pleased to announce the conclusion of a new Visa Waiver Agreement that allows citizens of both countries visa-free travel for up to 90 days,” Ruto said, noting that trade volumes between the two countries remain low.
“Trade volumes between Kenya and Senegal remain low. To address this, we commit to working together to remove barriers, enhance transport and digital infrastructure, harmonise standards and promote business-to-business engagements,” he said.
Besides scrapping visa requirements, Kenya and Senegal will also support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which hopes to enhance industrialisation and economic integration across the continent.
On peace and security, the leaders agreed to work together to address regional conflicts through inclusive strategies that promote stability and socio-economic development
Hosted heads of state
Two weeks ago, Dr Ruto hosted Heads of State and Government from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) for a dinner at State House – The dinner was attended by Presidents Azali Assoumani of Comoros and Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Prime Ministers Russell Mmiso Dlamini of Eswatini and Mustafa Madbouly of Egypt.
Also present were African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Youssouf and COMESA Secretary-General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe.
President Ruto celebrated COMESA as a transformative regional bloc that has powered integration for three decades.
“This year marks 30 years of remarkable progress of COMESA’s transformative journey towards regional integration,” he said.
