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A Kenyan medical doctor has expressed her frustration with the United States embassy in Nairobi over delays in visa appointments.
Elizabeth Amakove Wala wrote an open letter to the incoming American ambassador to Kenya Margaret Whitman highlighting her case after her daughter qualified for a global competition to be held in the US this November.
“In June 2022, one of my daughters qualified to attend the World’s Scholar Cup Global Round in Dubai, a debate and creative writing competition. She attended the competition. She, thereafter, qualified for the grand finale called the Theatre of Champions in Yale, USA, to be held in November 2022,” she wrote.
The World's Scholar Cup (WSC) is an international team academic programme with more than 15,000 students participating from over 65 countries every year.
“When we came back [from Dubai], I immediately embarked on a journey to start the visa process. I needed an invitation letter from Global Scholar Cup, which was sent immediately. I then applied [for US visa] in the system for both of us. The total amount of money for the visa was Sh38,400,” she added.
The medic says she was shocked to learn that the next available slot for an appointment was May 2024 which means her daughter would miss the event if they are to follow this schedule.
“Of what use was this appointment when the event is scheduled for November 2022? the visa fees are only valid for one year. I was told to apply for an expedited appointment, and I did. The response from the embassy was swift: appointment denied.”
“I was told by friends to keep checking the appointment schedule for any opening between 11pm and 6am in the morning; that I could be lucky and get a 2023 date. What kind of life is that?” she posed.
While lamenting that the embassy makes billions of shillings from Kenyans through “these delays in appointments”, Amakove pleaded with the incoming ambassador to address the matter once she assumes office following her approval by the US Senate this week.
“I know my daughter will be disappointed. All I am asking for is a change in the system to get people to pay when they are due for the appointment; to refund the application fee to people like us who give up when given a two-year date. I hope this letter gets to you,” she concluded.
The US Nairobi embassy has attributed the delays in visa appointments and processing to a backlog occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We ask for your patience as we are faced with significant backlog of cases resulting from closures due to Covid-19. All applicants should expect delays in most stages of visa processing,” the embassy says in its website.
“…We are working diligently to restore all routine visa operations as quickly as possible…”
Comments
please dont blame covid cos this people are still getting paid job is job its should have no excuse its either they close embassy rather taking money from poor kenyans while they cannot deliver the services pls were tired of this nonsense
Let's hope it was a Typo mistake; misinformation.
US embassies are milking dry the continent with this "Visa fees"..
Thus, she needs special preference treatment, the corrupt mindset typical with many big man big woman syndrome!
Wacha bwana! The doc is just being assertive and intelligentley using her available avenues to achieve her goal. When clerks can’t meet your needs yell the hell for tge manager at the top of your voice from wherever.
If you ask me. She indeed is special plus mothers special offsprings🤷🏿♂️
Yeah, fees should be refundable if indeed one can’t get an appointment on time.
The American Embassy in Kenya gives priority to joyriders ( or what is called “Covid Backlog”).
A joyrider is someone who gives ksh 2 million to a GOK official to be put on the priority list.
Delay due to Covid, what about taking visa fee. This can be simply resolved, have the system provide available dates, b4 asking for payment.
Could they be part of the reasons why most of the DV lottery winners of 2020/2021 never got their visas? Just thinking aloud.
Could they be part of the reasons why most of the DV lottery winners of 2020/2021 never got their visas? Just thinking aloud.
JUST REFUND THE EXORBITANT FEES IF YOU CANNOT ISUE THE VISAS! OTHERWISE THIS IS PLAIN EXTORTION FROM THE KENYANS PEOPLE AND MORE SO MANY POOR PEOPLE ESPECIALLY FROM SUB SAHARAN AFRICA.
If you stay home and develop your country, you won't have to be at anybody mercy. See how you look desperate out there at US Embassy after spending all your savings hoping you will be saved? Think again!
I believe the issue is the type of Visa you are requesting/ applying for, Some Visa categories have very few visas available per calendar year. I agree with Dr the practice of taking the money first, is sheer greed on American Embassy part
Can someone explain how those athletes made it to USA last week? Why would other cases treated differently
The frustration is real and so is the exploitation! Wake up Africa! You have been available for abuse by the whole world for far too long. If you do not assert yourself, someone will shut you down and have your lunch.