NEW YORK – Nationals of Kenya and Benin will from next month travel between the two countries without visas, following a bilateral agreement signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The deal was concluded by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi and Benin’s Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.
It allows citizens of both nations to stay visa-free for up to 180 days, though the waiver does not permit employment.
After the six months, visitors will be required to apply for visas in line with immigration laws.
Diplomatic, consular and service passport holders assigned to official missions, along with their families, remain subject to visa requirements despite the waiver.
Bakari lauded the agreement as a milestone for African integration, saying it would open opportunities for young people across the continent.
“The waiver means that we are integrating the citizens of Africa and helping our youth take advantage of opportunities in Africa. It is a strong message,” he said.
A new chapter in Africa’s story of unity has begun as I signed a landmark visa-free agreement with H.E. Oleshegun Adjadi Bakar, Benin Minister of Foreign Affairs, unlocking seamless movement for our people. What started two years ago as an ambition to boost tourism and trade
Beyond Benin, Mudavadi also held talks with Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto, who pledged to deepen cooperation with Kenya.
Pinto noted that over half of Venezuela’s population has African roots and underscored the country’s intention to finalize pending deals in tourism, agriculture, and education.
“Fifty-seven percent of our population is African. The late President Hugo Chávez always told us to be strategic with Africa because it is the future. We want to make progress and sign the pending agreements between the two countries,” Pinto said.
Mudavadi welcomed the commitment, saying Kenya was ready to fast-track memorandums of understanding during upcoming diplomatic engagements in Brazil and Nairobi.
He also reiterated Kenya’s respect for multilateralism, while responding to Venezuela’s criticism of U.S. pressure over alleged drug trafficking.
“The fight against drug trafficking should be within the confines of the law,” Pinto had remarked.
The new agreements signal Kenya’s push to expand its diplomatic footprint, from strengthening African integration through mobility agreements to advancing South-South cooperation with Latin America.
