TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

The United States (US) president Donald Trump's administration's new travel ban may be extended to 36 more countries, most of which are in Africa.

The State Department has identified countries that need to improve in specific areas within 60 days.

It set a deadline of Wednesday, June 18, for the listed nations to submit remediation plans.

In a statement, the State Department stated that it was committed to safeguarding the country and its people by maintaining the highest standards of public safety and national security through its visa application process.

"The concerned nations must immediately address persistent issues with screening and vetting, create plans for remedial action to address shortcomings, and monitor their progress," reported the New York Times.

According to the Washington Post, below is the list:

Geopolitical economist Aly-Khan Satchu told that he was surprised by the latest development.

He noted that Kenya is safe since the country maintains a military foothold for the US, which supports counterterrorism operations, training for Kenyan forces, and regional stability efforts in East Africa.

"I was very surprised at this new development. I think the US has significant military real estate in Kenya and therefore cannot afford to upset the Kenyan applecart at this juncture," Satchu explained.

In March, the New York Times also revealed the Trump administration was creating a three-tiered travel ban.

These are the "red" list of nations whose citizens would be completely prohibited from travelling; an "orange" group whose access would be restricted but not entirely prohibited.

There is also the "yellow" category, wherein nations would be given 60 days to address any perceived shortcomings or risk being added to one of the two other lists.

Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen were among the nations whose residents were completely prohibited from entering the US.

Trump also mentioned seven other nations whose citizens are allowed to travel for business but are not allowed to enter the country permanently or obtain tourist or student visas.

Among them are Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

In a separate story, US Senator Jim Risch voiced concerns about Kenya's foreign policy trajectory after President William Ruto visited China.

Risch questioned Kenya's support for the US during a congressional hearing, pointing to Ruto's Beijing remarks in which he described China and Kenya as "co-architects of a new world order."

The lawmaker saw this not as a cooperation but as a sign of ideological support for an authoritarian government.

Source: TUKO.co.ke