Visa rules dominate Zuma, Uhuru talks

The South African government is reviewing a request from the government to issue Kenyans with a visa on arrival.

This follows a meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma who is in Kenya on three-day state visit.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the request will ease movement of persons between the two countries as a gateway to enhancing trade.

“We have also agreed to consider that our request that Kenyan nationals be granted visa on arrivals and this is something the South Africa government will look into because this is a privilege that Kenya already extends to South African nationals coming in to the country,” President Uhuru said.

Kenyans that frequent South Africa have often complained of tough visa conditions.

Kenyans part with Sh4,200 as a visa processing fee and wait five working days to get a visa approval.

South Africans visiting the country however get their visas on arrival, something the Kenyan government is pushing to have reciprocated.

President Zuma was however non committal on the request arguing his government would first have to tighten its immigrant challenge.

“There are steps that have already been taken on people of specific categories who must not have problems to come in to South Africa. We discussed some of the issues that need to be considered thoroughly to allow that process to be effected,” President Zuma said.

The South African president cited insecurity as one of the reasons for stiff visa requirements.

“You know that South Africa and Kenya has a lot of foreigners some of whom could you this opportunity to cause harm and these are a matter that needs to be looked at. Africa has agreed that we should soften our borders to have inter and intra trade un hindered,” he stressed.

Businessmen have often complained of the tough visa rules as a hurdle for accelerated trade between the two countries.

The two governments are expected to sign deals in trade, counter-terrorism, defense, infrastructure development, environment and revenue services and Expand corporations between the two countries.

This is the first state visit by a South African president since 1994.