Members of the Africans Rising Pan-African movement and the local Kongamano La Mapinduzi group have submitted a petition to the Kenyan government, calling for the ratification of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. This treaty aims to ensure free movement of persons, right of residence, and right of establishment across Africa.
The petition comes as Kenya begins implementing the first phase of the treaty, which includes abolishing visa requirements for African travelers. However, the introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which mandates travelers to apply 72 hours before visiting and pay a processing fee, has sparked controversy. Petitioners argue that this new requirement contradicts the spirit of the treaty by imposing additional barriers.
The petition acknowledges Kenya’s commitment as one of the 32 signatories of the treaty but emphasizes the need for action. Only four member states have ratified the treaty so far, and 15 ratifications are required for it to come into force. The petitioners urge Kenya to take the lead in making history by fully supporting and ratifying the treaty.
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Beyond the ETA issue, the petition highlights significant delays in processing travel documents for Kenyans. Many citizens face long waits for passport approvals, which hinders their ability to travel, trade, and access educational and employment opportunities across the continent. The petitioners argue that a borderless Africa would greatly benefit Kenyan youth and communities by facilitating easier inter-country movement.
The petition also underscores the historical impact of colonial-era borders, which continue to divide communities with shared socio-cultural and dialectic roots. Examples include the Kuria people along the Kenya-Tanzania border and the Karamoja cluster, which spans Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda. These colonial boundaries, established to serve imperial interests, still separate people who had previously lived together harmoniously.
The petition recalls President William Ruto’s announcement on December 12, 2023, declaring that Kenya’s borders would be open without the need for visas. While initially welcomed, the introduction of the ETA and its associated fees has tempered public enthusiasm.
In their demands, the petitioners call on the Kenyan government to:
- Ratify the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Right of Establishment.
- Reconsider the implementation of the ETA system and its fees, which they see as obstacles to achieving a borderless Africa.
- Improve the efficiency of travel document processing for Kenyan citizens to enable them to seize inter-country opportunities.
This call for a borderless Africa reflects a broader vision of continental unity and cooperation, aimed at dismantling the remnants of colonial-era divisions and building a prosperous future for all Africans.
- Ratify the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community regarding the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Right of Establishment.
- Reconsider the ETA system and its associated fees.
- Improve the efficiency of processing travel documents for Kenyan citizens.
