Ismail Akwei is an international journalist, communications and media consultant, editor, writer, human rights advocate, pan-Africanist, tech enthusiast, history fanatic and a lover of arts and culture. He has worked with multinational media companies across the continent and has over a decade's experience in journalism. He is currently the editor of face2faceafrica.com.
The U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter has incurred the wrath of many Africans on social media after he shared a picture he took with two school children who were denied visas for a trip to the U.S.
“In the visa line yesterday I met this fine young boy and girl. They are Kenya Chess Champions! Although a trip to the US was not possible this time I reminded them that They Are Champions & we are friends! This is the future of Kenya. #USAmarafiki,” he posted with the photo on Wednesday.
In the visa line yesterday I met this fine young boy and girl. They are Kenya Chess Champions! Although a trip to the US was not possible this time I reminded them that They Are Champions & we are friends! This is the future of Kenya. #USAmarafiki
This post didn’t go down well with many Kenyans and Africans at large who questioned the reason for denying them visas while condemning his act of friendliness despite robbing the chess champions of their dream trip.
The ambassador, who became popular since his arrival into the East African country for his tweets in Swahili and association with locals, responded to some of the tweets explaining why they were denied and the stringent visa acquisition process.
Without giving an actual reason, he said in a series of tweets that there are unique circumstances to most cases like theirs and he was “consoling them because their visa situation was not going to change. All to do was encourage them and brag on them.”
Why were they denied visa that wud have facilitated them represent Kenya in the tourney? And why tell us that they were denied...case of rubbing it in!!!
No really was consoling them because their visa situation was not going to change. All to do was encourage them and brag on them.
I think the USG needs to better manage people’s expectations on visas. I hear what you are saying. I will get some people together to discuss this and look for some good ideas. Why apply if you won’t qualify? Why pay the fee?” he replied to another tweet about the U.S. government’s penchant for shattering people’s expectations.
I think the USG needs to better manage people’s expectations on visas. I hear what you are saying. I will get some people together to discuss this and look for some good ideas. Why apply if you won’t qualify? Why pay the fee?
On the reasons why he gave them hope despite the embassy’s decision to deny them visas, he replied: “They are children. You don’t know the situation of their parents or guardians. We take all cases seriously.”
What hope?? Denying young kids Visa to go compete is bad
They are children. You don’t know the situation of their parents or guardians. We take all cases seriously.
He defended his decision for posting their pics on social media saying: “Permission was granted. They are champions and everybody knows it. Including you. Celebrate it. Let’s not just criticize.”
This has messed me, Like its one update I couldnt have lived without. Plus not sure if their parents would appreciate the pics of their kids ALL over the place. Maybe you shud hv sought their permission the way you wud in USA but of course its Africa and ALL rules can be broken.
Permission was granted. They are champions and everybody knows it. Including you. Celebrate it. Let’s not just criticize.
Ambassador McCarter’s replies did not end the endless frustrations about the U.S. visa acquisition from being shared and his tweet transcended borders and got many social media users commenting about the situation.
Here are some more reactions to the Ambassador’s tweet:
This is African Studies https://twitter.com/USAmbKenya/status/1143895000121585666 …
dehumanization can always be countered by senseless ‘encouragement’ and insistence on friendship!!
Nowhere in the tweet does it say that the kids couldn't afford the trip to America.
Sponsoring a trip is not all about money especially when travelling abroad.
I got both schengen and and American Visa with less than 100k in my account but a brother with over 7million naira was denied the same period.
In the visa line yesterday I met this fine young boy and girl. They are Kenya Chess Champions! Although a trip to the US was not possible this time I reminded them that They Are Champions & we are friends! This is the future of Kenya. #USAmarafiki
Jeez why did you deny them visas? They were ONLY GOING TO PLAY CHESS & RETURN? or did you have reason to think they would go underground despite their YOUNG AGES? sad sad.
The hopes of those kids were crushed when they were denied the visa. There’s a difference between doing something to support their dreams and plainly telling them that their dreams are valid. They are just kids who don’t understand why a paper denied them a chance to shine.— Milkah (@Milkah2) June 27, 2019
Visa’s get denied at times for various reasons but in my experience US-embassy has been among the fairest in issuing visa’s for Kenyan athletes lately.— Michel Boeting (@one4onesports) June 27, 2019
Good rapport building with these two kids. I hope you can make the trip possible. Come on I thought America can afford this…— Abu Shaahid (@ShaahidAbu) June 26, 2019
Would they have gotten a Visa if there were from Norway going to the Chess Championships?
The US views anyone as a potential asylum seeker. Personally I wonder why anyone will go to a country where you're most likely to be shot by the police or called a monkey. To know how wicked the system is, they denied @AnyangNyongo a visa and even labelled him a human trafficker!
My request is that when one is denied a visa the embassy to be direct on why i.e we feel you do not have strong roots here maybe try when married, employed etc or build stronger accounts then we feel you can afford to travel, the standard rejection paper is offensive
What A shame, was disappointed by this Ambassador. He goes ahead to inform us that the kids were denied Visas.
Where are our friends the Chinese? There are many high level Chess tournaments in China. Seek out these girls and offer them a chance. Americans have denied them a chance.
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