Nairobi, Feb. 2 -- Kenya has from the start of this year been retaining data of visitors suspected of crimes for up to five years under the visa-free travel plan that came into force from January 1.

This five-year cap is part of fresh regulations gazetted by Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, marking a departure from the previous policy where there is no set limit on the period that the State can retain the data of visitors who enter Kenya through the airports.

Kenya abolished the visa requirement for visitors on January 1, introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system where travellers must provide their data and reasons for visiting days before they arrive.

Read: Ruto's ETA: A visa by...