US Embassy Announces One-Day Closure Next Week, Visa Services to Be Affected
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The US Embassy in Nairobi will close on Monday, October 12, 2026, to mark Columbus Day, a US federal holiday. The closure could affect people planning to access consular services at the diplomatic mission.
The one-day closure means applicants seeking visa interviews, passport services, document certification, and other consular assistance will need to make alternative arrangements
Routine visa services are among those expected to be affected by the closure, including visa interviews and processing that require in-person visits to the embassy.
Applicants with appointments scheduled for Monday may need to make alternative arrangements before visiting the premises.
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Passport services for American citizens, including applications and renewals, are also expected to be temporarily unavailable.
Other services likely to be affected include notarial services, general consular enquiries and appointments requiring assistance from embassy staff.
The closure will also affect routine, in-person consular assistance desks. However, US citizens who encounter emergencies while abroad may still seek help through designated emergency contact channels.
People who had planned to visit the embassy on October 12 should check official embassy communications for information on their appointments and any rescheduling arrangements.
What Is Columbus Day?
The closure coincides with Columbus Day, which is observed annually on the second Monday of October in the United States. The holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
Its official recognition was established under legislation signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, with the first observance under the law taking place in 1971.
Columbus Day has traditionally been associated with Columbus’ voyage and is also marked by some Italian American communities as a celebration of their heritage.
However, the holiday’s significance has become contested because of the history of European colonisation and its devastating consequences for Indigenous populations.
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Several US states and cities now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of, or alongside, Columbus Day to recognise Native American history and culture.
As a US diplomatic mission, the embassy in Nairobi observes the holiday as part of its official calendar with routine operations expected to resume on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
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A notice on the closure of US Embassy Kenya on Monday, October 12, 2026. PHOTO/ US Embassy X