Government mulls waiving visa requirements to promote tourism
By Irene.Githinji, October 13, 2023
The Government is exploring the possibility of people across the world visiting the country visa free in the near future.
Speaking during the 7th edition of the Turkana Cultural and Tourism festival, known as Tobong’u Lore (Welcome Home) held in Lodwar, president Wiliam Ruto said it is not fair for anybody to be asked for a visa when they are coming home.
“Tobong’u Lore is a local festival, a national event, a regional celebration and a call to all humanity, to come home and experience the beauty of culture. Tobong’u Lore, in the language spoken at the cradle of humanity, means “welcome home”. We really mean this,” said the President.
The President said that the diversity of Kenyan culture is a strong platform for the development and expansion of the country’s cultural tourism.
Ruto said that the Government is in the process of ratifying the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of armed conflict, the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting the Illicit Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property and the 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, as part of establishing a sound basis for protecting, promoting and reclaiming cultural assets and heritage.
National cohesion
“As exemplified by this festival, culture is the anchor of identity and engine of cohesion and integration. It is also a catalyst of economic transformation through the cultural industries, creative economy and artistic economy as well as tourism,” Ruto said.
Ruto said the free expression of ethnic cultures and identities has enabled Kenyans to enjoy the abundant blessings of diversity and through continuous interaction, convergence upon a robust ethos, which defines modes of social, economic and cultural expression.
Last week, he said the Cabinet approved the Culture Bill while others, like the Creative Economy Framework, National Kiswahili Council of Kenya Bill, the Kenya Film Bill, the National Heritage and Museums Bill, are currently being developed.