US Embassy in Nairobi to Close on Monday
The United States Embassy in Nairobi will remain closed on Monday, October 12, 2026, in observance of Columbus Day.
In a notice issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, the embassy announced that its offices would be closed to the public on the day, which is observed as a federal holiday in the United States.
“The U.S. Embassy will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026, in observance of Columbus Day,” the embassy announced.
The closure may affect people planning to visit the embassy for consular services or other official business. Those intending to seek services should check the embassy’s official communication channels for updates on reopening and any changes to appointments.
Services likely to be affected
With the embassy closure, several routine services at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi are expected to be temporarily suspended on Monday, October 12.
These typically include routine visa processing and interviews; American citizen services such as passport applications and renewals; notarial services; general enquiries and in-person appointments; and public-facing consular assistance desks.
Emergency services for U.S. citizens abroad may still be available through designated channels, but most non-urgent services will resume on the next working day.
Individuals with scheduled appointments on the closure date are advised to check official embassy communications and reschedule where necessary.
Resumption of services
Normal operations at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi are expected to resume promptly on Tuesday morning, October 13, 2026.
What is Columbus Day?
Columbus Day is a US federal holiday observed annually to commemorate Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
Columbus, an Italian explorer sailing under the Spanish Crown, reached the Caribbean during his voyage across the Atlantic. His expedition marked the beginning of sustained European contact with the Americas, followed by colonisation and profound consequences for Indigenous peoples.
The holiday has been observed in the United States in various forms for centuries. It became a federal holiday in 1937 and is traditionally marked on the second Monday of October.
In recent years, the observance has attracted debate because of the impact of European colonisation on Indigenous communities. Several US states and cities also recognise Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which honours Indigenous peoples, their cultures and their histories.
In 2026, Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 12, which is why the US Embassy in Nairobi will close on that date.