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Eritrean President Isaias Aferwerki has requested Kenya to lift a visa referral demand slapped on its nationals after the expiry of a visa abolition agreement between the two countries. In a special message delivered to President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi Monday, the Eritrean government requested Nairobi to review the demand, according to a statement issued by the President’s office.
President Kibaki said the request would be acted upon by the foreign ministry.
The Kenyan government said it reinstated a visa referral regime on Eritrean nationals visiting the country following the expiry of an earlier agreement.
Eritrean truck drivers and travellers were among those affected by the agreement, which saw most of at least 300 truck drivers stranded on the Ugandan side of the common border due to the implementation of the deal.
Kenya has been acting tough on the security front after a series of attacks by the Al Shabaab, which Eritrea has been accused of backing.
The Eritrean long distance drivers have been stranded for over a month, citing the delay in receiving clearance from Asmara and Nairobi.
Eritrean envoy to Kenya, Beyane Russom, delivered the special message from his President and held talks with the Kenyan leader.