Ruto scraps visa requirements for Indonesian citizens
By K24 Editorial, August 21, 2023Citizens from Indonesia will soon be able to enjoy visa-free travel to Kenya after President William Ruto announced that Kenya was abolishing visa requirements for Indonesian citizens.
Speaking during a joint briefing with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo at the State House in Nairobi on Monday, August 21, 2023, Ruto stated that the move is meant to bolster bilateral ties between the two countries.
The president also noted that the move will help boost business between the two countries.
“On our part, we have taken the decision to extend the visa-free entry not only to holders of diplomatic and service passports but to all holders of Indonesian passports. So our friends from Indonesia can now come to Kenya visa-free,” the president said.
Ruto also announced that Kenya will negotiate a preferential trade agreement with Indonesia.
According to the President, the deal is expected to comply with the requirements of the East African Community and the continental trade arrangements.
In the same breath, the President announced that Kenya has inked a bilateral investment treaty that will facilitate the export of 100,000 cattle yearly.
“Indonesia expect Kenya’s livestock sector to export at least 100,000 livestock every year. There is an opportunity for the private sector to facilitate that,” Ruto said.
He noted that the treaty will create an opportunity for the South Asian country to establish a crude palm oil refinery in the country.
“We shared ideas about scaling up on collaboration to an emerging opportunity towards improving the balance of trade between Kenya and Indonesia,” Ruto added.
Widodo’s trip to the country marks his first to Africa as the leader of South East Asia’s biggest economy.