If you have a visa appointment or consular business at the US Embassy in Gigiri today, stay home. The diplomatic mission has announced a complete closure of its offices this Monday, January 19, joining millions of Americans in observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The closure affects all routine consular services, including visa interviews and American Citizen Services. The Embassy has advised that all appointments scheduled for this date will be rescheduled, and emergency services for US citizens remain available via the duty officer lines. This federal holiday, celebrated on the third Monday of January, honors the life and legacy of the civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a figure whose message of non-violent resistance resonates deeply in Kenya’s own history of struggle.

"A Day On, Not a Day Off"

While the gates remain closed, the day is traditionally observed as a "day of service" in the US. In Nairobi, the mission often uses this occasion to reflect on human rights and civic space—topics that remain pertinent as Kenya grapples with its own democratic challenges.

Normal operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, January 20. For Kenyans, this is a routine reminder of the close, yet distinct, calendars that govern international relations. If you were planning a walk-in inquiry, today is not the day.

• Emergency Contacts: US citizens in life-or-death situations can still reach the embassy through their emergency hotline, which operates 24/7 regardless of holidays.
• Visa Backlogs: While a one-day closure is standard, it adds a slight delay to the already congested visa processing timelines, a perennial headache for Kenyans seeking travel to the US.

Celebrating a Legacy

Dr. King’s dream of a nation where people are "judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin" continues to inspire. The closure is a mark of respect for a man who changed the course of history without firing a gun.

For the thousands of Kenyans interacting with the US mission, patience is the order of the day. The doors will reopen tomorrow.