A new deal was brokered by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa following a state visit to the country last month. In the deal, South Africa is set to deport illegal immigrants from their country to Kenya if the immigrants entered the country after seeking asylum in Kenya or have been through Kenya.
the South African government through their Foreign minister Naledi Pandor started that Kenya had a responsibility to ensure that asylum seekers who enter the country should stay in the country and not jump borders.
The new deal is also set to discuss the tough South African visa restrictions for Kenyan travellers and traders that have prevented free entry into South Africa and made it difficult to do business in South Africa for Kenyans. The restrictions, which have remained a thorny issue for the two countries, include an Sh5,350 processing fee that takes at least five working days to process. Kenyan Visa applicants must also provide sufficient proof of funds, return flight air tickets among others. While on the other hand, South African nationals have it easier as they can get a Kenyan visa for free on arrival to the country. South Africa exported Sh45.7 billion worth of goods to Kenya in 2020, against imports from Kenya of Sh3.48 billion signalling the trade is in favour of South Africa amid the restrictions. and South Africa set up a Kenya and South Africa have set up a committee to deal with difficulties related to visas following a state visit by President Kenyatta to South Africa last month.
Kenya and South Africa agreed to enhance cooperation in trade and security with the Presidents of both countries committing to forge stronger ties between the two of Africa’s biggest economies. President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Cyril Ramaphosa held bilateral talks. The two leaders agreed to progressively remove all trade barriers to enable the two countries to benefit from their untapped trade potentials.
South African counterpart, who has been on a three-day State Visit to Kenya, this week said the first measure to expand their trade and economic ties is to enable the free movement of people. They directed the respective ministers responsible to work out the plan to reduce visa restrictions for Kenyans visiting South Africa. President Kenyatta said South Africa has agreed to consider Kenya’s request that Kenyan nationals be granted visa on arrival a privilege that Kenya already extends to South African nationals.
The two leaders addressed the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum that was held to further explore new areas of economic, trade and investment cooperation. President kenyatta announced South Africa will soon start producing coronavirus vaccines and he will be visiting the Aspen Pharmacare facility Wednesday in South Africa seeking possible cooperation.Kenyatta will also visit an engineering plant to see South Africa’s capability in the supply and maintenance of rail-related technology.
