The service providers behind Kenya’s Electronic Authorization (ETA) system are entitled to Sh1.5 billion (about 16 per cent) in commission for works in the past year, Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen told MPs yesterday.

This, he said, was a portion of the Sh6.53 billion generated by the system between the period of January 1, 2024, when President William Ruto directed that the country become Visa free, to February 25,2025. 

 ETA is a system designed to provide advance security screening of travelers before they arrive in the country.

 The system was introduced last year, and  requires visitors to obtain authorisation before entry. It replaced the previous visa system and was intended to provide a fairer, faster, and more reliable service while addressing the country’s security and strategic interests.

 Murkomen who appeared before the National Assembly plenary to answer to queries on the dates, explained that the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services had engaged a consortium of M/S Travizory Border Security, SA and Konvergence Network Solutions to undertake the implementation of the eTA under a self-financing Public Private Partnership (PPP) piloting framework, shortly after the directive.

 “For the standard ETA, which costs USD 30, the service provider was paid USD 8.5 while for the United States multiple ETA, which costs USD 160, the service provider was paid USD 15. As of 25th February, 2025, total number of ETAs applied was 1,596,799 generating USD50,568,810 out of which the Service provider is entitled to USD 12,255,013.50,” stated Murkomen. 

 The CS went on to explain that the implementation of the system was a pilot project as the State Department explored ways of localization of the eTA solution. On 9th March 2025,however, he said, E-Citizen ETA solution was rolled out.

 ” As at 25th March 2025, 1300Hrs, 38,634 ETA had been applied and paid through eCitizen platform, ” he added. 

 Murkomen was replying to a query by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka who had sought to know much money had the Government spent to acquire and implement the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system and a certified list of technical service providers responsible for the system operations. 

 Wamboka had also pressed the CS to explain whether the platform is hosted and managed within the country. 

 Further, the legislature queried how the system had impacted Kenya’s tourism and business travel, particularly in comparison to the previous visa policy. 

 In his response, Murkomen noted that according to the Kenya Tourism Board annual report, 2024, Kenya’s tourism sector reported record growth, with 2.4 million international visitors- a 15% increase from 2023, and inbound tourism earnings rising by 19.79 percent to Sh 452.2 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,” he submitted.  

 The development came two days after the Tourism Industry stakeholders raised concerns over the frequent downtimes affecting the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, warning that if the issues are not addressed, they could have costly repercussions for the industry and Kenya’s economy.
Previously, the system has been plagued by numerous issues, making it difficult for many travellers coming to Kenya.

 The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) stated that since the rollout and subsequent upgrade of the ETA system, persistent technical failures have led to losses for the industry and damaged Kenya’s reputation as a tourist destination.

 “Following the recent system upgrade to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), KTF wishes to express grave concerns over the current technical failures. For the better part of the month, these disruptions have caused significant inconvenience to travelers and tourism stakeholders necessitating an urgent resolution, “the federation said in a statement.