Government links ETA rollout to rise in tourist numbers
The government has connected the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to a sharp rise in tourist numbers, while also revealing that the company behind the project received Sh1.5 billion from the system’s earnings.
The ETA system was introduced to carry out pre-arrival security screening for travelers following a directive to move to a visa-free regime that took effect on January 1, 2024.
The Ministry of Interior, through the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, engaged a consortium of M/S Travizory Border Security, SA, and Konvergence Network Solutions to implement the system under a self-financing public-private partnership pilot model.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said on Wednesday that the contracted service provider had already been paid Sh1.5 billion, part of the total Sh6.5 billion generated since the system was activated.
“For the standard ETA, which cost $30 (Sh3,874) the service provider was paid $8.5 (Sh1097), while for the US multiple ETA, which costs $160 (Sh20,665), the service provider was paid $15 (Sh1937),” Murkomen told the National Assembly.
The CS was responding to questions from Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, who had demanded clarity on how much the government had spent on acquiring and running the new ETA system.
“As of February 25, 2025, the total number of ETAs applied was 1,596,799, generating $50,568,810 (Sh 6.5 billion), out of which the service provider is entitled to $12,255,013.50 (Sh1.58 billion),” Murkomen said.
The government opted to pilot the system before full adoption, giving time for localisation and ensuring that it would be able to deliver quality services while maintaining national security.
Murkomen said the system is hosted on the eCitizen platform, confirming its localization.
He added that the ETA has had a noticeable effect on the country’s tourism and business travel.
“How has the ETA system impacted Kenya’s tourism and business travel, particularly in comparison to the previous visa policy?” Wamboka had asked.
In response, Murkomen referred to the 2024 Kenya Tourism Board annual report, saying the sector had recorded its highest growth yet, with 2.4 million international visitors, a 15 percent increase from 2023.
According to the report, inbound tourism earnings rose by 19.79 % to Sh452.2 billion.
“This is an independent and objective appraisal of the positive impact of ETA on the tourism sector among other factors that influenced the rise in numbers of tourists and corresponding increases in business earnings,” Murkomen told MPs.
The ETA rollout is one of the major projects being monitored for its potential to open up the country while ensuring secure and efficient entry processes.