US Embassy Closed Today to Observe President's Day

The United States Embassy in Nairobi will remain closed today, February 16th, 2026, as part of the annual observance of Presidents' Day. In an official statement, the embassy said, " The U.S. Embassy will be closed on February 16 in observance of President's day." This move has affected thousands of Kenyans who rely on the embassy for visas and other consular services. Normal operations, however, will resume on Tuesday. 

Why the President's Day observed

U.S. Embassy Photo|Wikipedia

President's Day is a nationally recognized holiday in the U.S., meant to honor former presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. On this day, most government offices, including consulates and embassies abroad, suspend their routine operations. Although the holiday is American in origin, its observance by diplomatic missions worldwide often causes short-term service disruption.

Civic and Historic Significance

Originally, Presidents' Day was meant to celebrate George Washington, whose birthday falls on February 22, but over time it has evolved into a broader observance recognizing all American presidents. The day serves as a reminder of the role presidents have played in shaping the democracy and governance of the United States. Academic institutions use this day to enlighten citizens about the powers and responsibilities of the presidency, the U.S. Constitution and governance system, and lessons from the past leadership. This day is not only ceremonial but also has strong educational and civic value. 

Service Disruption

As a result of this, the Nairobi embassy is not offering regular consular services today except emergency consular services. The closure has immediate impacts for Kenyans who had visa appointments scheduled for today. The applicants who had appointments today are automatically rescheduled to a day when services return to normalcy. 

What this Means For Kenya-U.S. Relations

Closures of diplomatic missions are reciprocal in nature. Kenyan diplomatic missions also observe Kenyan public holidays, temporarily suspending routine services in host countries. This closure, therefore, does not in any way affect the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.