Joint Communiqué issued following bilateral discussions between Hon Maj-Gen. (Rtd). Joseph Nkaissery, Egh, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Co-Ordination of National Government of the Republic of Kenya and Hon. Malusi Gigaba, Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa
At the invitation of Hon Maj-Gen. (Rtd). Joseph Nkaissery, EGH, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Malusi Gigaba, Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa made a three – day Official Visit to Kenya from 2nd – 4th May, 2016.
Hon. Gigaba was accompanied by a high level delegation consisting of the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Kenya, Deputy Director-General, Immigration Services of the Republic of South Africa and other senior officials.
Kenya’s delegation included the Director of Immigration Services, Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, among other senior officials
Hon. Nkaissery and Hon. Gigaba held talks on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including updating each other on the various respective initiatives being undertaken to fight trans-national crimes such as terrorism, drug-trafficking, illegal arms, money-laundering and illegal migration.
These are issues that continue to be constraints on implementing free movement of travellers.
While hailing the warm and cordial relations which continue to flourish between Kenya and South Africa, and noting that the free movement of people is key to further enhancing these excellent bilateral relations, the two Ministers concurred that this particular visit offered the prime opportunity for deepening the ties and expanding the scope of collaboration between the two countries.
In this regard, the two Ministers lauded this visit as a way of opening an important door to the establishment of a high-level strategic dialogue that will ensure issues are resolved amicably and expeditiously.
The two Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of the decisions of the various technical meetings in the area of immigration, especially the meetings of 4th August and 9th – 11th November, 2015 held in Nairobi and Pretoria, respectively.
As a way of implementing a key decision of the meetings mentioned above, the two Ministers agreed on the following:
- Visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
- Decrease of service fee from $71 to $49.
- Issuing of three-year multiple entry visa for frequent travellers.
- Ten year multiple entry visa for frequent business travellers and academics.
- Issuing of study visas for the duration of study (including extending permanent residence to those studying within the critical skills category).
- Removal of transit visas for travellers transiting through South African airports.
Hon. Gigaba will meet with representatives of the Kenyan/South African private sector with a view to learning the challenges faced by the Kenyan business community in their travels to South Africa as well as exchanging views on how to ease the business people’s visa requests.
The two Ministers agreed to hold regular discussions on issues of mutual interest. In this regard, Hon. Nkaissery accepted Hon, Gigaba’s invitation to visit South Africa at a date to be mutually confirmed through the usual diplomatic channels.
Hon. Joseph Nkaissery and Hon. Gigaba looked forward to the forth-coming State Visit to Kenya by H.E. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa.
As a way of appreciating the beauty of Kenya, Hon. Gigaba intends to tour the Escarpment in Longonot to enjoy a close-up view of the Great Rift Valley.
Hon. Gigaba also extended his condolences to the Kenyan people for the loss of former of First Lady Mrs Kibaki and signed the condolences book.
