Ghana’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Damptey Bediako Asare, has issued a cautionary message to Ghanaians regarding travel to Kenya due to increasing unrest in the East African nation.
The warning follows the eruption of protests labeled “7 Days of Rage” against a controversial finance bill proposing new tax hikes.
Initially intended as peaceful demonstrations, the protests turned violent on Tuesday as clashes between protesters and security forces led to the vandalism of state properties and an attack on the Parliament building in Nairobi.
Kenya has long been a favored destination for Ghanaian tourists and business owners, especially those exploring opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Initiative, which both Ghana and Kenya have ratified.
Recently, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration announced that Ghanaian travelers would be issued an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) free of charge upon application for travel to Kenya, thanks to the existing visa-free regime agreement between the two countries. This development was expected to boost travel between Ghana and Kenya.
However, High Commissioner Damptey Bediako Asare, speaking to Joy News’ Connect Africa, advised Ghanaians to exercise caution. He emphasized the need for Ghanaians to stay informed about the situation in Kenya, especially those already in the country.
“If you are already in the country, our advice is that you keep updated with the latest news, particularly from local news outlets and international news platforms. If you are still in Kenya, it may be advisable to avoid protest areas,” he said. For those planning to travel to Kenya soon, he recommended contacting travel agents or airlines for the latest guidance and advice.
Notably, several Ghanaian Members of Parliament, mostly from the Local Government Committee, found themselves amidst the chaos in Kenya’s Parliament when the protests outside turned violent.
A video captured by Asuogyaman MP Thomas Ampen Nyarko showed MPs, including Sylvester Tetteh (MP for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro), Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi, and Nii Lante Vanderpuye, being escorted to safety. The delegation also included Anita Quartey-Papafio, a parliamentary clerk in charge of Governance Cluster Committees.
Despite the tense situation, High Commissioner Damptey assured that there have been no reported casualties or incidents involving Ghanaian nationals in Kenya so far.
“There’s no unfortunate incident involving any Ghanaian or any member of the Ghanaian community so far,” he stated.
The protests have already claimed at least ten lives, with paramedics expecting the death toll to rise as clashes between police and protesters continue.
The unrest has brought businesses and transportation to a standstill across various cities and towns in Kenya.
The finance bill, which introduces several unpopular taxes, has ignited a youth-led protest movement demanding its repeal. Despite the government’s concessions on some contentious measures, including exempting bread and imported sanitary items from the proposed taxes, public anger remains high.
Protesters argue that the new taxes would disproportionately burden the poorest citizens, exacerbating their financial struggles. Scenes of ambulances ferrying the injured from the streets have become all too common in recent days.