Gov’t warns travelers against abusing visa deal with Kenya

JUBA — South Sudan government has warned citizens against abusing the country’s visa-free entry deal with neighboring Kenya that allows citizens of both countries to enter each country’s border without entry visa.

The deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Deng Dau Deng, advised citizens of both countries to observe and respect travel requirements set up by each country to regulate travelers.

“It is the only fee that has been removed but the requirement of each country should still be observed by the citizens of these two countries,” Dau told reporters on Thursday during a press conference in Juba.

“We don’t want our citizens to abuse these important services, it is services for our people,” Dau added.

He said the waiver demonstrates the strong partnership and cooperation between the two countries

“Those who are traveling from Kenya to South Sudan and South Sudanese traveling to Kenya, you have to observe the period that has been given to you to stay. It does not stop the country from regulating the travelers,”

For his part, South Sudan Inspector-General of Police Gen. Majak Akec Malok said the waiver of visa requirements only allow Kenyan citizens with valid passports to enter South Sudan.

“The Kenyan nationals holding Kenyan valid passports will be allowed with the exception of those who will be claiming they are Kenyans but holding different nationality and passports,” Akec told reporters in Juba yesterday.

“Whoever that will claim to be Kenyan and holding non-passport of Kenya, we will not be considered or allowed to enter South Sudan and those holding different passports of South Sudan, would not be allowed to enter Kenya freely,” he added.

South Sudan initially granted visas to visiting Kenyans at the airport or point of arrival. The government however, changed the policy in May, demanding travelers to apply online and wait to travel after their visas had been granted.

It argued it was safeguarding revenue leakages at the time.