Good morning,
President William Ruto’s administration in Kenya has recently inked a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several nations, resulting in the removal of visa requirements for their citizens.
However, amid these positive developments, concerns have arisen regarding the reciprocity of these agreements and their potential consequences.
Kenya’s efforts to foster closer international ties have led to the removal of visa restrictions for citizens from various countries.
While this move has been widely lauded, there is a growing disparity between the ease of entry for foreign nationals into Kenya and the burdensome visa application process still faced by Kenyan travelers to these same nations.
Some countries have reciprocated by signing agreements that allow Kenyan passport holders to enter without visas. Nevertheless, the lack of reciprocity in some cases has prompted experts in international relations to urge caution.
Prof. Macharia Munene, an expert in international relations, commented on the situation, saying, “The move is only good if it’s reciprocal, allowing free movement of persons on both sides.
But if the MoUs are designed in a way similar to the previous deal with South Africa, where South Africans were allowed to freely enter Kenya, while it was very difficult for Kenyans to enter South Africa, then we need to re-look into them.”
Meanwhile, here are news stories making headlines on Opera News today;
Split in Azimio as Kalonzo Disagrees With Karua
Discomfort has rocked the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance coalition after key figures differed on which direction the ongoing bipartisan talks will take as far as the cost of living is concerned.
According to the latest report, the Martha Karua-led Kamwene group which consists of leaders majorly from the Mt Kénya region raised concerns to Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga and his counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka on the rising cost of fuel in the country.
CS Moses Kuria Apologizes to Kenyans in a 2am Message Early Wednesday Morning
The Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industries CS Moses Kuria has finally apologised to Kenyans.
This is following his remarks saying that the global oil prices are likely to rise hence urged Kenyans to brave themselves for a tough year ahead.
In his apology sent through his social media accounts, he noted that after the advice that came from among others the Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and his (unnamed) master, he had no choice but to apologise for the insensitive, incorrect and arrogant statement that he made.
Top Ruto aide linked to exit of Chiloba from CA
The suspension of Communications Authority Director-General Ezra Chiloba over misuse of the agency’s mortgage scheme now shifts the spotlight to President William Ruto after one of his aides was linked to the scam.
Emerging details indicate that an internal audit carried out by CA established that Chiloba and Mercy Wanjau, currently the Secretary to the Cabinet, were culpable in the mortgage scam.
Wanjau worked at the CA where she was the Director of Legal Services before she was picked to act as the Director-General.