Foreign Power’s Embassy in Nairobi Suffers 8-Hour Blackout Grounding Visa Issuance
The German Embassy in Nairobi was thrown into disarray after an 8-hour blackout on Wednesday, paralysed its operations, leaving frustrated citizens scrambling for solutions.
The power outage, which hit the Embassy located at Riverside Drive 113, affected critical services, particularly in the consular and visa sections. Many Kenyans and Germans with imminent travel plans were left in limbo as the Embassy was unable to process visa applications or provide other essential services during the outage.
The blackout caused a wave of frustration among Kenyans and Germans online. Many took to X, formerly Twitter, to vent their anger and demand the Embassy extend its operations to Saturday to recover lost time.
One traveller posted, “My planned travel date was yesterday and my classes in Germany start on October 21st. I would be grateful if you could keep my application in the queue as well. My passport will arrive at your office today.”
President Ruto is received in Germany by the German head of protocol
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Another user suggested that the Embassy work over the weekend to compensate for the disruption: “If you can work up to Saturday to recover for lost time, it would be really helpful.”
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Embassy acknowledged that the blackout had not only cut off power but had also knocked out its backup systems.
“We regret to inform our citizens that we are unable to process any visa applications due to the ongoing technical failure. This has affected applicants with immediate travel plans, and we are contacting those affected,” the Embassy announced.
“As of now, we can’t issue any visas. No applications can be processed. We are calling applicants with imminent travel plans.”
Although power outages are a familiar occurrence in Kenya, it is uncommon for the Embassy to experience such disruptions.
The Embassy, which resumed its operations late on Wednesday after resolving the issue, assured citizens that services would be back to normal. However, due to the Day of German Unity, a national holiday in Germany, the Embassy remained closed on Thursday.
“We are pleased to inform you that our IT systems are back online,” the Embassy announced around 9pm. “Starting Friday, the Consulate and Visa section will be offering services as usual.”
The Embassy offers a wide range of services, including visa and entry services as well as notarisation and certifications. The outage disrupted all these services, leaving many Kenyans and Germans, both in Kenya and those planning to travel, uncertain about their plans.
This incident mirrors Kenya’s own struggles with frequent power blackouts, which have been a significant issue in the country. Just four weeks ago, Kenya experienced its third nationwide blackout this year.
While the Embassy’s outage lasted for hours, the ripple effect was deeply felt by Kenyans and Germans in Nairobi who rely on its services to navigate their lives in a foreign country.
A section of Nairobi in blackout, December 2023.
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