Former CJ Questions Ruto’s Visa-Free Policy Decision

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has shared his views regarding President William Ruto’s proposal to eliminate visa requirements for entry into Kenya. The statement, issued on September 4, emphasized the importance of involving Kenyans in such decisions, underscoring the principle of public participation.

Mutunga stressed that decisions of this magnitude directly affect the nation’s sovereign power and thus, citizens should be an integral part of the decision-making process. He stated, “Kenyans have the right to be part of these decisions. How can we exercise our inherent sovereign power if not in instances like these?”

The former Chief Justice’s comments were in response to activist Boniface Mwangi’s concerns. Mwangi highlighted the lack of public involvement in the visa-free announcement and raised concerns about its implications on Kenya’s foreign policy. He emphasized that not only had the government introduced this policy without public input, but the potential budget deficit arising from lost visa fee revenues would also burden the Kenyan citizens. Mwangi said, “Ruto made the visa-free declaration without seeking reciprocity or our input. This move alters our foreign policy, and we’ll bear the financial implications.”

During the Africa Climate Summit’s inaugural ceremony at KICC Nairobi, President Ruto highlighted the perceived injustice of imposing visa requirements on individuals returning to their homeland. He stated, “It’s a topic of ongoing discussion among Kenyans. We’re contemplating removing visa requirements altogether, as it doesn’t seem right to impose them on people returning home.”

Earlier in May, while addressing African delegates at the African Private Sector Dialogue Conference on Free Trade, President Ruto hinted at the potential abolition of visa fees. He suggested that their current visit might be the last time they’d need to pay for visas to enter Kenya. Ruto emphasized the importance of creating a more unified and barrier-free Africa. He said, “This continent is home for all of us. We are in full support of the AfCFTA, and we should be working towards eliminating any barriers to free movement across our continent.”

President Ruto’s proposal to abolish visa requirements has stirred a conversation about public involvement in decision-making. While the President sees this as a step towards African unity, concerns arise about its economic and foreign policy implications. Former Chief Justice Mutunga and activist Mwangi both advocate for greater public participation in such decisions, emphasizing the nation’s sovereign power and potential financial consequences.