The new measures decided by the Kenyan government as of 1 January last, with the abolition of the online visa and the introduction of the electronic travel authorisation (eTA), on the one hand speeded up the paperwork, the issuance of the permit to arrive in Kenya, which now comes into the traveller's possession within 72 hours, and lowered the cost from 50 to 30 euros plus commission, but on the other hand, as was to be expected, it created some inefficiency at the immigration office. A disservice that especially affects those who want to stay in Kenya for longer than just a short holiday.

It must be premised that it is a peculiar period in Kenya, in which President William Ruto is trying to channel many services under a single 'accountancy' to avoid dispersion of revenue to the state already burdened with a heavy public debt and with the bogeyman of a 3 billion dollar Eurobond loan to be paid next June. The situation of the local currency, the Kenyan shilling, is well known, having reached historic lows in value against the dollar (exceeded 150 shillings to a dollar) and the euro (170).

As has already happened in the case of entry tickets to national parks for safaris, driving licences, and monthly fees from the Kenya Revenue Authority, everything is being channelled online or on the Mpesa telephone service, on the state number 222222.
But some changes do not only affect the direction of services: the quickest and most effective system (as our country's recent history teaches us) is to invent new taxes for taxpayers and increase or modify existing ones.
In this respect, however, Kenya proves to be a fairly solid democracy, with less chance than other 'neighbouring' African countries of turning into an oligarchy or dictatorship.
There is a solid judiciary, an opposition that makes itself heard, professional associations such as that of lawyers, or that of journalists, that once attacked or sidelined make themselves heard.

So also on the issue of the visa and permit 'revolution', which also encompasses other services offered by the immigration office, especially to Kenyan citizens, the High Court judges blocked the new fee schedule, while allowing the change from evisa to eTA.
This has caused a halt to many parallel or post visa services for residents and tourists, who are now waiting for guidance from the office in charge.
'The system's down' or 'We are waiting for indications', system blocked or waiting for further indications, this is the answer given to those who go to the information counter.

But not everywhere.
The High Court has blocked until 15 February, when it will rule on its lawfulness, the reintroduction of a tourist visa extension fee. Until a few years ago, in fact, to stay another three months in the country, one had to pay 2200 shillings and sign the alien card, i.e. the provisional identity card for foreigners (which usually arrived when the term of stay had already expired...).
Two years ago, however, the alien card was abolished (creating other problems for some services that required it, e.g. the purchase of cars made difficult for tourists or the future change of number plates with the advent of the electronic one, due to expire in April but still to be seen...).
With the abolition of the Alien Card, the cost of the extension had also been reduced to zero.

With the new provisions, while lowering the initial cost of entry into Kenya, the cost of the extension after three months should go from zero to one hundred dollars, according to the publication of the Official Gazette on 6 October. But precisely, the courts, in challenging the decision and postponing the ruling until February, blocked that increase as well, in addition to many others and the introduction of the renewal of the tourist visa even after 6 months (200 dollars). A decision taken by the government also to try to curb the corruption of fake stamps and fake exits and re-entries from the country that proliferates and in which not only Italians are protagonists, but also illegal workers from Asia and Africa.

So what happens now to those who had planned to extend their stay in Kenya?
As you will see, if you try to get your extension online, your application will remain suspended and the time will come when your visa will expire.
Before that time, it is necessary to go to the nearest immigration office, which will confirm the government's difficulty in issuing the extension. According to testimonies collected over the past few days, in Nairobi you get a temporary extension for one month (two if you are waiting for a work permit, renewal or similar) free of charge, in other offices you may be charged a fee for services rendered, in the best case scenario you go back to the old 2200 shillings.
Looking forward to 15 February, when clarity will be shed on the future possibilities and duties of foreigners in Kenya, including exponential increases in work permits, which in the government's intentions could be increased by 150%.

As always, we will update you whenever there is news.