The US Embassy in Kenya has become a source of frustration and anger for many Kenyans trying to get visas, especially non-immigrant ones like visitor visas. Many people spend time and money applying, but very few are approved. The process feels unfair, and the cost is too high for most applicants. Each application costs about 35,000 Kenyan shillings, and this fee is not refunded, even if you’re rejected. The problem is that rejection is very common.
Social media is full of complaints from Kenyans who were denied visas in just seconds, often with no clear reason. One post by @C_NyaKundiH shared a story of someone who was denied a visa moments after being asked if they had a child. That was the only question, and they were immediately turned away.
Others have shared how the embassy processes hundreds of applications every day, collecting millions of shillings, while more than 90% of those applications are turned down. People are now asking if this has become a money-making machine.
It feels like the embassy is collecting huge amounts of money from Kenyans while giving nothing back in return. There is no clear explanation from the embassy on why so many people are denied. They always mention “strict regulations,” but this doesn’t help applicants understand what went wrong.
There’s no detailed feedback, no clear guidelines, and no guarantee of fairness. The embassy’s silence on this issue is making things worse. Kenyans are left to guess why they were rejected after paying so much.
In 2023, 74% of Kenyan student visa applications were denied, according to data from The Africa Report and Pay4Me Blogs. That’s just for students, but it shows a clear pattern. If students with full sponsorship and documents are being turned away, then ordinary Kenyans applying for visit visas face even lower chances.
This is what makes the whole process seem like a hopeless gamble. What angers people the most is that the embassy doesn’t refund the fees or give any chance for appeals.
Once you’re denied, your money is gone. For most Kenyans, 35,000 shillings is a big sacrifice. It’s not just the money, it’s also the lost hope, the wasted time, and the emotional toll.
Some people have suggested that the African Union should step in and demand fair treatment. Others have asked for the visa fees to be refunded if the application is rejected. These ideas are not far-fetched.
The embassy should stop hiding behind vague rules and be honest about how many people they approve and why others are rejected. The way things are now, the US Embassy in Kenya looks more like a business than a diplomatic office. It’s collecting millions every month while giving back almost nothing.
This needs to change. Kenyans deserve respect, fair treatment, and answers. Not empty promises and quick rejections.
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