Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 569375,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/569375/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 71,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Adan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13125,
        "legal_name": "Dullo Fatuma Adan",
        "slug": "dullo-fatuma-adan"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to respond to the Statement sought by Sen. Kagwe of Nyeri County. Pursuant to Standing Order No.45 (2) (b), he requested for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations regarding the treatment of Kenyans applying for visas to South Africa at the South African High Commission in Nairobi. In the Statement, the Senator sought to know the following:- (1)State whether South Africa had adopted hostility in its relations towards Kenya and if so, why? For the last five years, Kenya and South Africa have experienced challenges resulting from different immigration policies, particularly on visa and work permit applications. It is important to note that Kenya does not levy visa fees to South Africans visiting Kenya for less than one month and no visa is required for the same period. South African visitors who require to stay in Kenya for more than one month can apply and obtain visas at our ports of entry. Kenyans on the other hand are subjected to a referred visa regime in order to enter South Africa for business, holiday, study, or medical tourism. Mr. Speaker Sir, in addition, South Africa requires Kenyan nationals transiting through South Africa to obtain transit visas even when the person transiting does not leave the airport. Kenyans holding diplomatic passports visiting South Africa for less than a month are allowed entry without a visa. In December 2013, the Government of South Africa outsourced the visa application process to a private company. In addition, a visa processing fee of US$70 was imposed, whether or not the visa is granted. However, holders of Kenyan diplomatic, official, service passports and official delegations holding ordinary passports requiring visas to travel to South Africa on official visits continued to apply through the South African High Commission, provided the applications are forwarded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Mr. Speaker Sir, we are aware that obtaining residence permits by Kenyan nationals who have either secured employment individually or work for multilateral organizations based in South Africa is long and tedious. Kenyans travelling to South Africa for medical purposes are usually granted a visa for the duration of treatment not more than three months. In the event that the treatment is extended, the person seeking treatment is required to return to Kenya to extend the visa. Students are granted a one year renewable study permit whose renewal is expected to be effected back in Kenya. (2) The second question is to indicate if Kenya was reciprocating with similar difficult terms for issuance of visas to South Africans wishing to visit Kenya. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}