Kenya is eying a free visa pact with Somalia as part of a diplomatic offshoot of the recent miraa export row with the Horn of Africa nation. At the moment, Kenyans and Somalis have to pay Sh5,000 ($50) to obtain visas that allow them to visit or to engage in cross border business. The two states are expected to scrap visa requirements on their nationals as part of efforts to boost trade and investment.

The deal was reached during the 53rd IGAD Summit in Mogadishu a few days ago where leaders agreed to hold a Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) to negotiate for free visas. "The two countries agreed to hold a JCC to negotiate a visa regime between the two countries,” Foreign Affairs and International Trade secretary Amina Mohamed tweeted during the summit.

A number of Somali nationals who have invested in real estate and retail sectors in Kenya have frequently accused security agencies of imposing strict visa rules. A number of Kenyans have also found market outlets in Somalia, with goods amounting to Sh15.2 billion being exported to the Horn of Africa country last year.

While khat accounts for almost 95 per cent of the exports, Somalia ranks above Burundi and almost at the same level as Rwanda. Last year Kenyans exported goods worth Sh6.6 billion to Burundi and Sh17.9 billion to Rwanda. Kenya inked the JCC with Somalia early this year but shaky diplomatic ties — owing to arbitrary border closures, refugee repatriation and an Indian Ocean boundary dispute — have slowed its activities.