UPDATED INFORMATION ON U.S. VISA APPLICATIONS  U.S. visa applicants may apply for a U.S. visa with a machine-readable, non-digital Kenyan passport. U.S. Embassy Nairobi will place an issued visa in a non-digital passport. For entry into the United States, passports must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the …

The U.S. Embassy Nairobi has recently released many Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for which the U.S. Government is currently accepting applications for Public Affairs grants and Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration opportunities from non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, or community-based organizations.  Please follow the links below to learn more about the …

The EducationUSA office at the United States Embassy – Nairobi, seeks to identify and recruit 40 academically strong Kenyan students who scored A- and above in the 2017 KCSE, to join the EducationUSA Scholars Program (ESP). The candidates must have a minimum of grade A- in both English and Mathematics. Our mission at EducationUSA is …

Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC October 6, 2017 The United States Government is deeply concerned by the deterioration in the political environment in Kenya in advance of the October 26, presidential election. We remain committed to supporting a free, fair, and credible election that is consistent with Kenya’s Constitution, current laws, and …

On August 8, Kenyans will exercise one of their most important democratic rights and select their leaders.  As international partners, we encourage Kenyans to look beyond their differences to come together to ensure free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections.   A successful poll will secure the extraordinary promise of the 2010 Constitution, strengthen democracy, and advance …

241 years ago, America’s Founding Fathers took a step… a step of extraordinary courage… a step that has echoed across the years.  In our Declaration of Independence, they declared themselves and the 13 colonies they represented to be free.  The declaration began a revolution that continues to today… a revolution that promises liberty, equality, and …

As Heads of Mission from international partners supporting Kenya’s August 8 elections, we met this morning with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman and Commissioners.  We congratulated the Commission on the important National Elections Conference held in Nairobi on 13-14 June, which allowed participants to discuss electoral preparations and to make clear their …

The State of Georgia will conduct a special runoff election on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, for the 6th Congressional District to replace Tom Price who was confirmed as the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary. This district consists of parts of Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton counties. The registration deadline has been extended to May 21. …

Statement Regarding the Suspension of Assistance to the Ministry of Health May 9, 2017 Nairobi, Kenya – The U.S. Embassy has suspended approximately $21 million (2.1 billion KSH) in assistance to the Ministry of Health. This represents only a small portion of the overall U.S. health investment in Kenya, which exceeds $650 million (65 billion …

As friends of Kenya, we congratulate the many Kenyans who peacefully participated in the recent political party primaries by voting and supporting the integrity of the process.  We also welcome the large number of women and young candidates and voters.  Together, millions of Kenyans stepped forward to exercise their constitutional rights and give voice to …

The State of California will conduct a special general election on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, for the 34th Congressional District to replace Xavier Becerra who was confirmed as Attorney General of California. This district consists of part of Los Angeles County. A primary election was held on April 4, 2017, with no candidate receiving more …

The State of South Carolina will conduct a special primary election on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, for the 5th Congressional District to replace Mick Mulvaney who was confirmed as the Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. This district consists of Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Union, and York counties, and portions …

The State of Montana will conduct a special election on Thursday, May 25, 2017, for its at-large Congressional District to replace Ryan Zinke who was confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. This district represents all counties in Montana. Service members, eligible family members and overseas citizens may use the Federal Post Card Application …

 January 22, 2017  Joint Statement by Heads of Mission in Kenya on Kenya’s 2017 Elections   Kenya’s Elections and Future Rest in the Hands of the Kenyan People The elections of August 2017 are critical to Kenya’s future.  Free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections will help secure the extraordinary promise of the 2010 Constitution, strengthen democracy, …

Joint Statement by Heads of Mission in Kenya on Kenya’s 2017 Elections The elections of August 2017 are critical to Kenya’s future.  Free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections will help secure the extraordinary promise of the 2010 Constitution, strengthen democracy, and advance prosperity for all Kenyans.  As partners, we stand with Kenya as it approaches …

The EducationUSA office at the Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy – Nairobi, seeks to identify and recruit 40 Kenyan students from low-income families who scored B+  and above in the 2016 KCSE,  to join the EducationUSA Scholars Program (ESP). Our mission is to assist our Scholars in negotiating the admissions process in …

The U.S. Embassy confirms there was a shooting incident near the Embassy. No Embassy personnel were involved. We refer you to Kenyan authorities for further details.

Each week, nearly 25,000 adults and 3,600 children die from AIDS globally.  This includes nearly 18,000 adults and 3,400 children in sub-Saharan Africa alone.  While co-infection with tuberculosis is often the proximate cause of death, the unfortunate cause in far too many cases is stigma.  Stigma kills.  It’s that simple.  While we have made great …

Since the launch of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has used its expertise in epidemiology and laboratory systems, and its long-standing partnership in public health research in Kenya, to help the country develop more focused HIV interventions that are implemented when, …

U.S. Embassy Nairobi Political Coordinator Mathew Long joined the American Corner (AC) Lamu Coordinator Fatma Busaidy on November 29-30, for the final selections of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program.  YES, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, selects a high school student between 14-15 years old to participate in a one …

The American Corner (AC) Nakuru hosted over 500 primary and middle school students on November 22, to hear American author Shel Arensen, a long term resident of Kenya, speak about his life and work.  He spoke about his children’s books published by Word Alive, a Kenyan Press. The Rugendo Rhino Book series focuses on problem solving …

Fifty women at the Dagoretti Empowerment Centre successfully completed two five-day U.S. Embassy Nairobi-sponsored entrepreneurship workshops on November 18, 2014.  Kawangware resident Viriginia Kinoro, an African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) alumna, led the workshops.  Cultural Affairs Officer Chris Snipes was present at the training and awarded the participants their certificates. The purpose of the training …

U.S. Embassy Nairobi, through the American Corner (AC) Mombasa, partnered with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Mombasa to explain and share the meaning of the American holiday, Thanksgiving.  AC Mombasa Coordinator Biasha O. Seif led the celebration involving over 200 people from the area. AC Coordinator Seif explained that Thanksgiving is a secular holiday and …

U.S. Embassy Nairobi sponsored two five-day entrepreneur workshops for 50 women at the Dagoretti Empowerment Centre on November 5.  The workshops were led by Kawangware resident Viriginia Kinoro, an African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) alumna. The purpose of the training was to enhance knowledge and capacity to manage and run businesses and to provide practical …

History shows that a free press remains a critical foundation for prosperous, open, and secure societies, allowing citizens to access information and hold their governments accountable. Indeed, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reiterates the fundamental principle that every person has the right “to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and …

Humanitarian Peace Support School U.S. Embassy Nairobi, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), supported Kenya’s first Mass Casualty Incident Exercise on October 9.  The simulation took place at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) and included a controlled inter-agency disaster response simulation and a practical session on how to improve disaster management. …

U.S. Embassy Nairobi Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Isiah Parnell launched a new American Corner (AC) at the Nakuru Public Library, October 3.  Nakuru is one of Kenya’s fastest growing communities, located in central Kenya. Over 400 people from the local community attended the event including Nakuru County officials, teachers and students of all ages …

After years of planning, design, and construction, the Mombasa Butterfly House has taken flight.  Over the past three months Exhibit Curator Maria Fungomeli and staff have welcomed more than 1,700 visitors, including 1,400 school kids. The butterfly house, located next to the historic Fort Jesus Monument in Mombasa, showcases the biodiversity of coastal forests and …

LAUNCH OF IGS OPERATIONS IS EXPECTED TO CREATE OVER 4000 DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR KENYAN YOUTH BY END OF 2015 U.S. Embassy Nairobi Economic Counselor David Renz joined Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Charity Ngilu, along with executives from International Green Structures (IGS) on September 30, to celebrate …

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the Mass Net Distribution exercise in Western Kenya on September 27.  This program is carried out every five years and involves members of the public receiving bed nets to protect them against malaria carrying mosquitos. In order to be eligible to receive a net, community members registered …

The Lamu American Corner (AC) celebrated the United Nation’s (UN) International Day of Peace 2014 by hosting four primary schools on September 20, for an art competition on the theme “Right of Peoples to Peace”.  The students participated in art activities that promoted peace and encouraged the Lamu community, Kenya and the world to be …

Since the onset of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, CDC Kenya staff including Kevin DeCock, Joel Montgomery, John Neatherlin, Barry Fields, Bonventure Juma and Clayton Onyango have been deployed to Liberia as part of the outbreak response team. Clayton Onyango is the Deputy Lab Director at CDC Kenya’s Division of Global Health Protection. He …

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Karen Freeman joined Ms. Lucy Ikonya, Trade Affairs Manager of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on July 21, to launch an electronic notification system called “Notify Kenya TBT.”  It will allow KEBS to more efficiently inform private and public sector stakeholders of notifications on technical regulations and …

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Karen Freeman joined First Lady of Kenya Margaret Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health, James Macharia to launch the inclusion of the rotavirus vaccine into the Kenya Expanded Program on Immunization on July 16 in Machakos County. The introduction of the rotavirus vaccine will address a …

Gen. Julius Waweru Karangi, Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, participated in an Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath Laying ceremony with Maj. Gen. Jeffery S. Buchanan, U.S. Army Military District of Washington commanding general at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Following the wreath laying ceremony, Karangi visited …

DemDiv offers a plan of action to achieve a demographic dividend in Kenya United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Karen Freeman joined Ministry of Devolution and Planning Economic Secretary Stephen Wainaina and Dr. Josephine Kibaru, Director General of the National Council for Population and Development on July 15, to announce a new …

Ksh 60 million in equipment and training to improve airline safety Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Isiah Parnell, handed over Ksh 60 million in aviation security equipment on July 15, to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Eng. Michael Kamau; Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury, Henry Rotich; and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) …

New Office Builds on 50 Years of Conservation Partnership Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Isiah Parnell, joined the Environment Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Dr. Alice Akinyi Kaudia, on July 10, to jointly launch a new Environment and Natural Resource Management (ENRM) office for the U.S. Agency for …

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently completed a five-year reforestation partnership (Global Development Alliance) with The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST), which encouraged more than 55,000 farmers to plant 13 million trees and learn sustainable agricultural practices.  The TIST program enhanced community participation and encouraged good governance and leadership within and among …

2014 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Washington, D.C.  Officials from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and National Museums of Kenya and the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) signed a Sister Park Agreement between Sibiloi National Park in Northern Kenya and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in the United States on June 27.  The five year agreement between the sister …

Kenya: Mambo Poa   Kenya is a country of deeply rooted traditions and a vibrant cultural crossroads.  Some of the oldest artifacts of human communities have been discovered in Kenya, making the East African country truly a cradle of humanity. Today, it is a dynamic nation that links its prehistoric past to new cultural expressions …

Funzo Kenya supports the Government of Kenya’s efforts to make changes to its health worker education and training systems.  The program works across the public and private sectors to strengthen pre-service education of health workers, increase the number of health workers graduating from Kenya’s medical training institutions, improve access to training for existing health workers, …

Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) community rangers, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), use geographic information system (GIS) mapping to provide a reliable record of elephant mortalities across the Samburu-Laikipia ecosystem for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species’ Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants and for internal conservancies’ use in …

The U.S. Embassy Nairobi’s American Reference Center (ARC) hosted over 50 University of Nairobi law students for an introduction to the ARC and the eLibraryUSA on May 21, 2014.  ARC Deputy Director Nashon Akello introduced the students to relevant full-text databases that included ebrary, Academic One File, Business Source Premier and GREENR to enable the …

U.S. Embassy Nairobi, through the American Corner (AC) Kisumu, celebrated World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2014.  Over 150 youth from local film and theater companies attended the celebration, along with numerous local media representatives.  Entertaining skits, dancing and lively music were used to emphasize the importance of freedom of speech and of the …

U.S. Embassy Nairobi Cultural Affairs Officer Raymond Stephens launched Step Up: Empowering Girls through Sports at Mathare Youth Association Headquarters on April 22.  Step Up is a Global Sports Mentoring Project for girls aged 13 – 18 years.  40 girls from 16 different slum areas of Nairobi attended the launch which included exercises and a football …

World Malaria Day April 25th is World Malaria Day and an important time to focus on this year’s theme: Invest in the Future, Defeat Malaria.  Malaria is a significant public health threat globally.  In 2012, 627,000 people died from the disease and most were young children in sub-Saharan Africa.  According to reports from hospitals and …

The U.S. Embassy Nairobi, through American Corners (AC) Mombasa, hosted a showing of the documentary “Broken Dreams” at Leven House in Mombasa on April 12.  “Broken Dreams” is a documentary film about the vanishing Somali youth of Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States. The movie highlights young Somali boys that decided to give up everything …

USAID Mission Director Karen Freeman joined local NGOs, public and private media houses and personalities in Kenya to launch Women in the Red, a media campaign designed to raise the profile of Kenyan women as leaders. The campaign just aired the first season of a 10-episode documentary film series on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). …

Community provides gifts to encourage women to give birth in a health facility High-pitched ululations resound at the Kahawa Dispensary in Borabu, Nyamira County, Kenya.  Health workers and patients are celebrating the safe delivery of twin boys.  In Kenya, one mother dies every hour from pregnancy related causes, especially at the time of delivery.  Over …

New types of livelihoods feed families while protecting the forests Jenerica Aule, 32, is a widowed mother of 4 and the sole breadwinner of her family.  Charcoal production and selling used to be her only source of income. “The charcoal business is strenuous,” she says. “I used to make between 600 to 1,000 shillings [$7-$11] every two …

Some health facilities are abuzz with health workers attending to patients at every corner.  But, the Kyaango dispensary in rural Kitui County, Kenya, has only one health worker.  Lenah Gatwiri is the village’s only registered community health nurse, serving more than 6,000 people.  Since her first day at work in 2011, Gatwiri has committed to …

U.S. Embassy Nairobi Political Officer Nate Macklin promoted U.S. – Kenya relations with a lecture on security issues to students of the United States International University (USIU) on March 18.  The class of Security Studies in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is designed for undergraduates to explore the nature and significance of security …

Ksh 129 million in equipment to help end preventable deaths at childbirth The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Global Health Dr. Ariel Pablos-Méndez handed over Ksh129 million in maternal and child health commodities to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health, James Macharia on March 17.  Prior to the handover ceremony, …

In honor of Women’s History Month, American Corner (AC) Lamu organized a “Women Empowerment Roundtable” for 420 girls from Lamu Girls Primary School (LGPS) on March 15.  The program stressed the importance of education and highlighted the roles of successful women in Kenya and the United States.  AC Lamu coordinator Fatma Busaidy led a guest panel …

American Corner Lamu promoted EducationUSA and eLibraryUSA in Lamu to over 150 participants including librarians, teachers, American Corner members, students and youth on March 11.  American Corner Coordinator Ms. Fatma al-Busaidy introduced the American Corner resources, programs and activities.  U.S. Embassy Nairobi American Reference Center (ARC) staff talked to participants about EducationUSA’s 5 steps to …

Over 200 U.S. Embassy Nairobi community members joined the First Lady of Kenya Margaret Kenyatta to race in the inaugural Run with the First Lady Half Marathon on March 9, held in Nairobi.  By organizing and running in the half marathon, the First Lady hopes to raise awareness and bring improvements to maternal health.  In …

Atlas Corps is seeking outstanding individuals from around the world with 2-10 years of professional experience for the United States government-funded J-1 exchange program for nonprofit/non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders.   Through addressing critical social issues, Atlas Corps develops leaders, strengthens organizations and promotes innovation. The Atlas Corps Fellowship is a 12-18 month professional fellowship offered three …

The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (ADF) is a scholar fellowship program for educational projects at African higher education institutions. Offered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with Quinnipiac University (QU), the program is funded by a two-year grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY), to support 100 short-term faculty fellowships …

Through the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access), the U.S. Embassy Nairobi on February 22, handed out over 30 certificates to students in Malindi, Kenya honoring their hard work and dedication to learning English.  Access is a two-year program that provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-20 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through …

Introduce Web-based Resources EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State-supported network of hundreds of advising centers around the world.  Each year, EducationUSA advisers provide millions of international students with accurate, comprehensive, and current information about how to apply to colleges and universities in the United States.  Through the U.S. Embassy Nairobi Cultural Affairs Office, a …

The U.S. Embassy Nairobi’s American Reference Center (ARC) hosted over 50 students and teachers from Starehe Girls’ Center on February 18, to learn about Black History Month, a celebration of the achievements of African Americans.  The students watched the video Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks and discussed the history of the American civil …

Over 30 Madrassa teachers at the American Corner Mombasa, located in the Muslim Education and Welfare Association (MEWA) were introduced to Playaways (audio books) and Kindles on February 12, 2013.  The teachers regularly use the American Corner (AC) to learn and improve their English language skills and to obtain relevant educational resources for their classrooms, which …

The American Corner (AC) Lamu celebrated Black History Month with a special focus on American Muslims with over 130 students from the Wiyoni High School in Lamu on February 11, 2014.  AC Lamu coordinator Fatma al Busaidy showed a documentary about Islam in the United States and highlighted the achievements of some notable black American Muslims, …

The Bomet County Government office is up and running, less than three months after United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Kenya Deputy Mission Director Tina Dooley-Jones joined Bomet County Governor Isaac Ruto to break ground.  The USAID-supported office suite provides a quick, efficient infrastructure solution to the new county governments. USAID and UKAID supported the …

Cummins Cogeneration Limited (CCL) is a global joint-venture between USA-based Cummins and UK-based Gentech, an engineering, procurement, and construction contractor. CCL has four subsidiary special project vehicles, each with a specific geographic focus. CCKL is a project development and investment vehicle for CCL in Kenya. CCKL is developing a 12MW biomass-fueled, on-grid electricity generation project in …

The U.S. Embassy Nairobi American Reference Center (ARC) hosted 12 Ph.D. researchers from University of Nairobi’s Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies for an introduction to the ARC’s services and the eLibraryUSA on January 29, 2014. ARC Deputy Director Nashon Akello introduced researchers to the full text contents of relevant databases including the …

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Associate Administrator Mark Feierstein and Assistant Administrator for Africa Earl Gast visited Kenya to evaluate the progress of President Obama’s initiatives in support of the United States and Kenya’s shared development objectives.  On their list of stops was the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) Practical Training …

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), along with local county officials, unveiled the newly refurbished Voi Police Station on January 21.  Through the Kenya Transition Initiative ( https://www.land-links.org/project/kenya-transition-initiative/ ), Usalama Reforms Forum ( http://www.usalamaforum.org/ ) spearheaded the project, which is part of a five year effort of the U.S. government to assist Kenya with fundamental …

This innovative, hybrid approach to fuel-efficient cooking in Kenya’s arid lands combines livelihoods diversification through local production, marketing and sales of energy efficient Jiko Ndoo cook stoves along with generation of community revenues that can fund social infrastructure and other priorities in Community Development Action Plans (CDAPs) thanks to the reduction of green house gas …

Veterinarians, dog handlers and technicians from the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion (CA BN) and Kenyan Defence Force (KDF) assessed and shared best practices during a five-day KDF Military Working Dog Handler Canine First Aid Training Course, January 13-17. The course was an opportunity for the 433rd CA BN to gain knowledge of the KDF program, …

Kenya Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Training Academy received over 200 books from the United States Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Nairobi Kenya which will assist regional law enforcement officers from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya in becoming better leaders and professionals within their respective organizations. CBP provides training to over 15 law …