A thunderbolt for Kenyan citizens, tourists and foreign residents comes from the Kenyan Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to what was published in the Official Gazette on 6 November, the costs of all immigration services in the country will be increased by between 100 per cent and 250 per cent.

According to the law, the directives published in the Official Gazette, if there are no changes, become effective 14 days after publication, so they could be in force as of 20 November, although some Kenyan media report that the changes could already be implemented.

According to these directives, the tourist visa to enter Kenya, valid for three months, would rise from the current 50 dollars to 100, so at the current exchange rate it would be around 93 euros.
The reported changes, among other things, would see an even heavier increase for work permits, which for foreign resident entrepreneurs would rise from the current 200 thousand shillings for two years (permit G) to 500 thousand, while those for pensioners or those with an income would also be doubled.

There would also be significant increases for dependant passes and for all other types of services.
For Kenyans, the increases would concern the issuance of passports, identity cards, birth and death certificates, marriage and other documents.

This is an unannounced and frankly incomprehensible move, even in light of previous statements by the Minister of Tourism and the Kenyan Vice-President about the importance of tourism and the desire to attract even more travellers. Similarly, if the increases were confirmed, the employment of foreigners in Kenya would be significantly affected.
It is hoped that the probable pressure from embassies, trade associations, civil society and private individuals will bring positive news and denials in the coming days. Otherwise the blow, for everyone, will be quite severe.