Navigating the Visa Process for Travel to Kenya

In the above picture, Anthony “Amp” Elmore is arriving at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in March of 1994. Up until 2023, American citizens could acquire a Kenyan visa at the port of entry. Today, however, one must apply for a visa online. While this may sound like a convenient 21st-century solution, Kenya has created a “wall of bureaucracy” that is frustrating, unappealing, and outright discouraging, especially for African American travelers.

Anthony “Amp” Elmore notes that he has been traveling to Kenya since 1990. When he applied for a visa for himself and his son, Anthony “Amp” Elmore Jr., the process was difficult and borderline exploitative. American citizens and African Americans should not be subjected to exploitative systems when acquiring a Kenyan visa. In fact, Kenya has created a culture of what Elmore calls “predators” who assist in obtaining a visa because the process is so convoluted. This Kenya system is unfair where companies and a culture has evoluted that makes it easier to get a visa for a hefy unnessary charge to get a Visa. We ask Governor Nyong'o to assist at making it easy for those attending the "First Black Family Union in Africa in Kisumu Kenya" who notes that they are attending to family union be granted  visa without have to list hotel and Airplane reservations. 

For African Americans looking to travel to the “First African American Family Reunion” in Kisumu, Kenya, it is crucial to get their passport and visa early. The Kenyan government’s process inhibits and stifles African American travel, as last-minute deals and spontaneous decisions are often feasible. For example, the visa process requires you to have hotel reservations and flight bookings in advance. Elmore, who has been traveling to Kenya for 34 years, wants the flexibility to book hotels on the fly or change flights to take advantage of last-minute deals. However, the online visa process is very strict and demands every travel detail, including hotel confirmations.

Elmore suggests that Governor Nyong’o arrange for those attending the 1st Black Family Reunion to have a designated space to get a visa, noting that they are attending this significant event. This would allow participants to register for the event and get their passport and visa taken care of early, prior to the event.

Regarding African American travel to Africa, the first step is to get a passport and visa, which can be motivational and inspirational, allowing participants to focus on saving money for travel. Many African Americans may have credit card issues and must take incremental steps to travel to Kenya. Elmore plans to create a layaway program and automatic withdrawals into a special account to help those on a tight budget prioritize spending. To achieve an objective, it is not uncommon for those with limited resources to miss a payment to meet an objective and catch up later. Under the current visa system, a ticket and hotel reservation are required to obtain a visa, which is not conducive to many African Americans.

As the proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The first step to African travel is to get a passport and a Kenyan visa, and then work on paying for air travel.