Photo/Somali Times
The federal government of Somalia has today announced new requirements for Kenyans or holders of Kenyan passports arriving in Somalia, amid deteriorating relations between the two governments in Nairobi and Mogadishu.
A letter from the country’s immigration and Nationality Agency today states that no one with a Kenyan passport can enter Somalia until he or she receives a visa from the Somali embassy in Nairobi. Kenyans used to receive visas from Somali airports upon arrival.
The Immigration Agency noted that the new decision is in line with the federal government’s policy, particularly in ensuring security and improving the country’s immigration system, after the Somali federal government recently accused its Kenyan counterpart of interfering in electoral matters.
“In line with the federal government’s policy of ensuring security, improving the country’s immigration system and reducing the risk of Covid-19 infection, with Kenyan passport holders seeking to enter the territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia. They need a visa, they can take it from the embassies of Somalia,” the agency said in a statement.
He also said the decision from the Migration Board to citizens traveling in a diplomatic passport required permit as the foreign ministry said.
The move comes amid strong criticism from the Somali federal government in Nairobi, which recently fired Kenya’s ambassador to Somalia and recalled its ambassador to Nairobi.
Somalia appears to have launched a war against Kenya, which has strongly warned opposition candidates calling it a “new animosity that the country’s leaders are campaigning for the election.