Uganda, Feb. 3 -- Kenya's President William Ruto was celebrated last year when he announced his country would be going visa-free for African visitors, but many have been surprised by the new requirements, which have introduced fresh costs and paperwork for some.

Adio, a Zimbabwean citizen living in Germany, was not anticipating any issues at Bremen airport when he arrived for his flight to Kenya earlier this month.

But at the check-in desk, he was asked to show a document saying he had permission to enter Kenya.

"We had a short argument at the counter. I insisted I didn't need one," said the 33-year-old, who works in the tech sector.

Had he travelled a week earlier, Adio would have been right.

Nationals of Zimbabwe, along with more t...