The expectations were dashed when President Zuma dithered, only pledging that matters immigration was a work in progress. Kenya’s visa interests were not a completely lost cause as the joint communique captured South African “concessions” offering easier visa terms for elite categories of Kenyans.
It, however, fell short of reciprocal balance given South Africans enjoy a visa-on-arrival regime while Kenyans endure steep hurdles in travelling to South Africa.
The reason President Zuma gave for the equivocation is that terrorists and criminals would exploit the opportunity to gain entry into South Africa and wreak havoc there. In essence, law abiding Kenyans are collateral damage.
This justification can be given benefit of doubt considering the reality of terrorists in Kenya. Incredulity can, however, be entertained.
An important factor that might have impelled South Africa to prevaricate is that the country has policies and regulations focused on checking the influx of African economic refugees. Kenya is no exception.
Allowing Kenyans no-holds-barred entry would have been received negatively by South African interest groups that have often expressed angst at other Africans, especially of lower classes. It would also have had a domino effect with other African countries pushing for similar deals.
It is noteworthy that President Uhuru Kenyatta lobbied his counterpart on the visa issue at an open press briefing. It would appear that President Kenyatta was showing his being in sync with Kenyans’ interests.
However, far from retaliating, the Kenyan side proceeded to sign an agreement in favour of Kenyan diplomatic passport holders and better visa terms for elite businesspersons. This is an indication that the two countries are reading from the same script on issues considered of mutual benefit.
The understanding is that general visa issues should not be a stumbling block. The upshot is that the issues of imbalance in visa issuance will be pushed to back the burner for the foreseeable future.
The fact trade issues dominated the discussions with the Kenya-South Africa business forum as the highlight indicates the core and immediate interest was South Africa’s intent on shoring up its flagging economy.
The South African Gross Domestic Product growth rate has been hovering in the one per cent and negative growth territory for months. South Africa sought to secure a favourable environment for her 60-plus companies based in Kenya, while local business lobbies — the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers — sought more favourable terms for accessing the South African market.
If agreements on reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers are upheld, it can be expected that Kenyan-based South African companies will extend their footprint and new entrants will set up shop.
The visit served to reset and elevate Kenya-South Africa relations
The agreement paving way for South Africa’s investment in the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor project is of significance on multiple fronts. It is instructive the deal was signed by South Africa’s ministry of Public Enterprise.
This suggests that South African state corporations in the ministry will be angling for a bite of the Lapsset pie. Of particular interest are Transnet (freight and logistics services via rail, ports management and pipeline) and Eskom, the power utility corporation, both of which fit in Lapsset’s transport and energy infrastructure priorities.
