On June 4, 2025, Tanzania introduced a new visa policy meant to increase the number of tourists visiting the country. This comes just a few days after a tense exchange between Tanzanian Members of Parliament and Kenyan netizens on social media.
The disagreement online involved sharp criticism directed at Tanzanian leaders, including President Samia Suluhu, from Kenyan users. Many Tanzanians felt insulted and called out what they viewed as interference in their internal matters.
The Tanzanian parliament even discussed the issue, especially regarding comments made during the trial of opposition figure Tundu Lissu, with some MPs accusing Kenyans of causing unrest online.
Despite all the heated words exchanged, the Tanzanian government still made a surprising decision. Kenya has been included on a list of 71 countries whose citizens can now get a Visa on Arrival when entering Tanzania.
This means that Kenyans do not need to apply for a visa before traveling to Tanzania. Instead, they can get one at the entry point. This update was first shared by AYO TV and posted by Millard Ayo on X, formerly Twitter, and it officially took effect on June 4.
Many saw this as a mature move by President Samia’s administration. Instead of letting online arguments affect policy, the government chose to maintain good diplomatic ties and focus on tourism.
Some Tanzanians on X, however, questioned the decision. They raised concerns about whether Tanzanians enjoy the same treatment when traveling to Kenya and other countries on the list. The idea of fairness and equal travel rights became a hot topic. People asked whether Tanzania was offering more than it receives, and some called for a review of such travel agreements.
Tourism is very important to Tanzania’s economy. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the sector brought in over 2.6 billion dollars in 2019. The country is known worldwide for its natural beauty, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and Zanzibar.
With this new visa policy, the Tanzanian government hopes to attract even more tourists, especially from nearby countries like Kenya. Making travel easier is expected to increase tourist numbers and bring in more income for hotels, parks, tour operators, and other businesses that depend on tourism.
