Senators in Kenya have taken issue with the strict visa policies of South Africa.
Among their complaints is the seven day waiting period to gain any feedback on visa statuses. The Senators claim that this can make short notice travel extremely difficult.
Evans Kidero, the Governor of Nairobi County also implored the South African government to reduce their visa rules on Kenyan citizens.
Among their complaints is the seven day waiting period to gain any feedback on visa statuses. The Senators claim that this can make short notice travel extremely difficult.
“If South Africa does not change its attitude towards African nations, we must move the Pan Africa Parliament to either Kenya or Ethiopia. We cannot stand the harassment at the South African embassy. We can move that Parliament to a country where Africans can travel with respect and dignity,” said Mutahi Kagwe, the Senator from Nyeri.Some of the Senators even proposed imposing the same stringent policies against South Africa. The Standard reports.
Kimani Wamatangi, the Senator of Kiambu stated, “the best remedy is for Kenya to complement the attitude and treatment the people of South Africa are subjecting to Kenya and the rest of Africa by giving them equal treatment.”The Senators further complained that the embassy staff of South Africa did not have respect for senior government officials who travelling to the nation.
Evans Kidero, the Governor of Nairobi County also implored the South African government to reduce their visa rules on Kenyan citizens.
Kidero said in a June 2015 meeting with the Turkish ambassador to Kenya, “African countries, and to be specific Kenya and South Africa are forced by circumstances to work together. Most Kenyans in South Africa have an easier time with the government systems there because of their discipline and professionalism.”President Uhuru Kenyatta attended a meeting in South Africa on Sunday, May 17, 2015 in a further attempt to strengthen ties between the two nations.