Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 569377,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/569377/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 73,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker sir, in June 2014, Kenya instituted similar conditions on visa applications by South Africa nationals on reciprocal basis. However, following pressure from the private sector, Kenya unilaterally withdrew the reciprocal measures. (3) Explain what actions the Government of Kenya has taken to remedy this situation and ensure Kenyans wishing to visit South Africa are reasonably facilitated. Mr. Speaker Sir, in the last few months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has actively engaged the Government of South Africa in an effort to remedy the current situation. In August 2014, the Principal Secretary, Dr. (Eng.) Karanja Kibicho met with the South African High Commissioner, His Excellency Rabubatsi Super Moloi. The two officials directed the respective technical officers from the South African High Commission in Nairobi and the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Kenya to meet and agree on how to streamline the visa issuance process. The technical experts met on 18th August, 2014 and it emerged that the biggest challenge facing South Africa was the passage of illegal immigrants from South Sudan, Somalia, and other countries using Kenya as the preferred route to illegally enter South Africa. Mr. Speaker Sir, in May 2015, His Excellency Mqulwana, the new South African High Commissioner to Kenya, following a meeting with the Principal Secretary, Dr. (Eng.) Karanja Kibicho, informed the Ministry as follows: (a)The imposition of the US$70 visa processing fee was a statutory requirement set by the Government of South Africa and the High Commission was not in a position to abolish it; (b)New students would now be given visas lasting the entire duration of their study and continuing students will no longer be required to travel to Kenya to renew their visas; (c) Medical visas will be processed and issued upon confirmation or proof of continued treatment at the receiving facility. Visas will be immediately issued to three accompanying relatives; (d)Visas for Government officials undertaking official visits will continue to be processed at the South Africa High Commission, as long as they are accompanied by a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The High Commission will undertake to fast-track the issuance of these visas; (e) Finally, the issue of transit visas was still outstanding and it was recommended that the matter needed to be discussed at a forum bringing together officials from the Department of Immigration of Kenya and the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in June 2015, the Cabinet Secretary, Amb. (Dr.) Amina Mohamed met with the South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Her Excellency (Ms.) Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Pretoria where the Cabinet Secretary indicated that in the event that the current impasse is not resolved, Kenya is ready to resort to reciprocal measures on visa issuance. The meeting resolved that the Minister for Home Affairs of South 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."
}