• If you thought applying for a US visa was nerve-racking before, buckle up. The United States Embassy in Kenya has rolled out a requirement that could send some people scrambling for their old passwords.
  • This new directive will likely make many Kenyans more cautious and aware of what they post, turning timelines from battlegrounds to visa-friendly zones.

If you thought applying for a United States (US) visa was nerve-racking before, buckle up. The United States Embassy in Kenya has rolled out a requirement that could send some people scrambling for their old passwords.

Visa officers will now check your social media accounts for the past five years before deciding whether to grant you entry. Yes, your posts, Instagram captions, and those late-night Facebook rants could make or break your American dream.

Forget the usual visa stress—bank statements, invitation letters, and passport photos. Now, the real question is: what did you post in 2020 when everyone was stuck indoors?

Did you tweet “America is overrated”? Did you join a Facebook group called “I Will Never Go to the US”? Well, those posts are about to come back like bad Wi-Fi.

The US says the move is about national security, ensuring applicants do not pose a risk. However, for Kenyans, the first reaction was pure panic. Memes flooded social media almost instantly.

While the rule sounds intimidating, experts say it is simple: just be honest. But let’s be real—most Kenyans are now scrolling back like time travellers, hitting delete on anything that screams controversy.

However, what about those who love online debates? If you have been clapping back at strangers under political threads or criticising US foreign policy at 2 AM, your posts could now join your birth certificate in the visa file. This is not paranoia—it is policy.

Kenyans have always been popular on the internet—for body-shaming, online trolling, and even starting digital wars with other countries. This new directive will likely make many Kenyans more cautious and aware of what they post, turning timelines from battlegrounds to visa-friendly zones.

Therefore, if you are planning to see Times Square or attend that Harvard scholarship program, here is the takeaway: your social media is your second passport. Treat it well. That next Facebook rant? Maybe keep it about Nairobi traffic—not American politics.