Teachers aiming for positions in countries like the United States have urged the government to expedite the visa application process to facilitate their travel arrangements. This appeal arises amidst ongoing challenges at the US embassy, where Kenyans face delays in obtaining travel permits.
According to teachers interviewed in Ruiru, hundreds regularly visit the US embassy, but encounter prolonged and bureaucratic hurdles during the visa application process. Some applicants have reported missing job opportunities due to these delays. Ruth Kiarie, Brian Belfas, and Caroline Wanjiku, among others, voiced concerns that their visa applications were occasionally cancelled or denied following interviews.
In a pre-departure briefing ahead of their relocation to the USA for lucrative positions, the teachers also highlighted instances where applicants were rejected due to discrepancies in their documentation.
“The government should intervene to save Kenyans the many jobs they miss for a simple hindrance. More jobs for Kenyans in the US means for remittances to grow our country and there, the government should give a hand to those who have already secured jobs abroad,” said Belfas.
Their request for government intervention follows recent announcements from the US government, stating that it has increased staffing at the embassy in Nairobi to accelerate visa processing. The White House recently emphasized that enhancing consular services, including managing visa application backlogs, is part of the bilateral agreements between the two countries.
Ambassador Isaiya Kabira, Secretary of Investments and Entrepreneurship, highlighted to the teachers during their preparations for travel that their journey to the US will contribute significantly to Kenya’s socio-economic development.
“This is a new dawn where the professional destinies of our teachers are redefined and elevated to global heights. We are looking at you as global citizens and not just as Kenyans. The world has made a decision to come and recruit here and that shows the confidence they have in the talents that we have as a country which we should be very proud of,” stated Kabira
