The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has announced that it will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026 in observance of a public holiday.
In an announcement issued on October 9, the embassy stated that the closure is in observance of Columbus Day.
“The U.S. Embassy will be closed on Monday, 12th October 2026 in observance of Columbus Day,” the statement read.
The embassy, however, confirmed that regular activities and all services offered shall resume after the public holiday.
U.S. Embassy Services That Will Be Affected
The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, located along United Nations Avenue in Gigiri, provides consular services to American citizens and processes visa applications for foreign nationals.
Its services include passport applications and renewals, emergency travel documents, birth and death registration, notarial services, and assistance to U.S. citizens facing emergencies abroad.
Through its American Citizen Services section, the embassy helps eligible parents obtain Consular Reports of Birth Abroad for children born outside the United States.
It also handles death reports involving American citizens and provides guidance on related estate matters.
American citizens can also seek assistance from the embassy in cases involving arrest, medical or financial emergencies, crime victimization and international parental child abduction.
Other services include guidance on IRS tax filings, Selective Service registration, Social Security benefits and veterans’ affairs programmes.
For foreign nationals seeking to travel to the United States, the embassy processes nonimmigrant visas for temporary visits involving tourism, business, education and work.
It also handles immigrant visa applications for eligible individuals seeking to relocate permanently to the United States through family reunification or employment-based pathways.
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About Columbus Day 2026
Columbus Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the second Monday of October each year to commemorate Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas in 1492.
In 2026, the holiday falls on Monday, October 12. President Donald Trump officially proclaimed the date as Columbus Day in a proclamation issued on October 7, 2026.
“Now, therefore, I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2026, as Columbus Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” read part of the proclamation.
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The holiday recognizes Columbus’ historic voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, which began in August 1492 when he sailed from Spain with three ships, the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María, in search of a new trade route to Asia.
His expedition reached islands in the present-day Bahamas in October of that year.
In the United States, Columbus Day was established as a federal holiday to honour the explorer and his historical significance. It also holds cultural importance for many Italian Americans, who regard Columbus as part of their heritage.
However, the holiday remains controversial because of the impact of European exploration and colonization on Indigenous peoples in the Americas. Several U.S. states and cities instead observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which recognizes Indigenous communities, their histories and their contributions.
Under U.S. law, the second Monday of October is designated Columbus Day, and the president issues an annual proclamation calling for its observance.
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