Africa-Press – Kenya. The US Embassy in Nairobi will remain closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
In a notice released on its official communication channels, the embassy said the temporary closure aligns with the United States federal holiday.
“The US Embassy will be closed Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the embassy stated.
President’s Day is a federal holiday in the United States, observed on the third Monday of February each year.
The day honours George Washington, the first president of the United States, and has evolved to recognise all individuals who have held the office.
Established as a federal holiday in 1971 under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Presidents’ Day was originally intended to celebrate Washington’s birthday on February 22.
Over time, it became a broader commemoration of the presidency and a reflection on the nation’s leadership.
Across the United States, the holiday is marked by the closure of federal offices, schools, and many businesses.
Ceremonial events, educational programmes, and discussions on leadership are common. While retail promotions have become widely associated with the day, government offices, including U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, maintain standard holiday closures.
For Kenya, the closure means routine embassy operations will be suspended for the day. Services such as visa appointments, document authentication, and other consular functions will be unavailable until normal operations resume.
US embassies worldwide typically observe major federal holidays, including Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Labour Day, in addition to Presidents’ Day. These closures are standard practice to allow staff to observe national holidays in line with U.S. government protocols.
The February 16 closure highlights the embassy’s adherence to US federal observances while serving Kenyan residents and American citizens in the country. Services will resume on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
