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US Embassy reveals why it will not update its X, Facebook and Instagram pages
01st October, 2025 10:51 AM
Caption:U.S. Embassy in Nairobi suspends some services amid government shutdown. VIDEO/K24TV The United States Embassy in Nairobi has confirmed a temporary suspension of certain services due to the ongoing US government shutdown.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, through its Facebook and X accounts, the embassy said it would halt regular updates until full operations resume.
But it said that only urgent safety and security information will be shared during the shutdown.
“Due to the lapse in appropriations, this Instagram account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,” the notice read.
The embassy clarified that important services, including passport processing and visa transit services in the United States as well as at embassies and consulates abroad, would continue “as the situation permits”.
However, it urged members of the public to seek updates through the official website for the latest information on services and operating status.
For Kenyans and other foreign nationals seeking US services, the embassy’s confirmation that passport and visa processing will continue offers some reassurance, though delays may still be expected depending on how long the shutdown persists.
US in crisis?
The shutdown in Washington, which has disrupted federal funding, has forced many US agencies and foreign missions to scale down their activities.
However, the embassy did not specify how long the suspension of regular updates would last but emphasised that emergency communications remain a priority.
President Donald Trump has faced four shutdowns. His first term saw three such instances. This included the longest shutdown in American history, lasting 35 days.
Currently, thousands of US government employees, both domestic and overseas, face the impact of the funding lapse. This is the first government shutdown since the years 2018-2019.
The Republican-controlled Senate failed to pass a last-minute government spending bill; however, it could not avert the shutdown.
The Republicans, who have only 53 seats, were pushing to pass a bill to extend government funding without other initiatives attached – known as a clean CR, or continuing resolution – but they needed additional votes from the Democrats in the Senate to reach the 60-vote threshold.
