Kenyans no longer need a visa to enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reciprocating a kindness shown by Nairobi five days earlier.
Just one week after Kenya removed visa requirements for citizens of the Congo, there was a reciprocal act.
In a circular released on September 6 by the DR Congo’s Directorate General of Migration, Roland Kashwantale Chihoza, the decision became effective on September 1, 2023, the same day Kenya removed its visa restrictions for Congolese citizens.
According to Chihoza, the two nations have decided to eliminate visa requirements in order to promote trade and integration within the East African Community (EAC).
Both the DRC and Kenya claim that this new policy will make it easier for people to move around and integrate into the East African society. which both countries belong.
DR Congo officially joined the EAC last year as its seventh member, signing the Treaty of Accession at State House, Nairobi, with then EAC Chair and Kenya’s former President.
The move followed DRC’s fulfillment of the conditions outlined in Articles 3 and 4 of the Treaty for the establishment of the EAC.
Kenya so far has visa-free agreements with five countries and is mulling over opening its doors to all African citizens.