US Embassy in Nairobi Closed Monday for President’s Day Federal Holiday

The United States Embassy in Nairobi will be closed on Monday, February 16, forcing Kenyans with scheduled appointments to make alternative arrangements.

The closure comes in observance of President’s Day, a federal holiday celebrated annually across the United States to honor the nation’s past and present leaders.

Federal Holiday Requirements

President’s Day is among eleven official federal holidays recognized by the U.S. government, mandating the closure of all American government offices, including diplomatic missions worldwide.

While legally designated as Washington’s Birthday in honor of America’s first president, George Washington, the holiday has evolved into a broader celebration of all individuals who have held the presidential office.

The current scheduling of the holiday stems from the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, which restructured several federal observances to fall on Mondays, creating extended three-day weekends for federal employees and establishing the closure pattern now observed at U.S. diplomatic posts globally.

Impact on Consular Services

The closure will affect all routine consular operations at the Gigiri-based embassy, disrupting services for Kenyans seeking visa processing, passport renewals, and other standard administrative functions.

Applicants with Monday appointments must contact the embassy to reschedule, potentially creating complications for individuals with time-sensitive travel requirements.

Despite the suspension of regular services, the embassy confirmed that emergency assistance for American citizens will continue to be available through dedicated 24-hour hotlines maintained for urgent situations and crises.

Diplomatic Protocol

U.S. embassies worldwide observe all official American federal holidays in addition to selected local holidays in their host nations, following established diplomatic protocol that balances American federal requirements with local observances.

This closure represents standard diplomatic procedure implemented by American missions globally, ensuring operational consistency while adhering to the federal calendar governing all U.S. government institutions and personnel.

The embassy is scheduled to resume full operations on Tuesday, February 17, when all consular services—including visa interviews, document processing, and citizen services—will be available to the public.