Somalia has halted visa-on-arrival for Kenyan citizens amid diplomatic fallout between the two horn of Africa nations.
In a statement, Somalia’s immigration authority said Monday that Kenyan passport holders will now be required to obtain visas from Somali embassy ahead of travel, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the reasons for the directive.
According to the statement, the new directive will take effect effective on 13th Dec 2020.
Kenya’s diplomatic passport holders will have to seek approval from Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In line with the Federal government’s policy of ensuring security, improving migration management and reducing the risks of COVID-19 Infections,” the statement reads in part. “All Kenyan passport holders traveling to the territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia are obliged to obtain visas from Somali embassies.”
Somalia vowed “any traveler with a Kenyan passport that does not adhere to the above policy will be denied entry.”
Kenya government has not yet commented on the move by Somali government on its citizens.
This comes amid Somalia recalled its ambassador in Nairobi and directed Kenya’s envoy to go to his country, as Somali government cited internal affairs interference by Kenyan government.
