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The Hydropower Boom in Africa: A Green Energy Revolution Africa is tapping into its immense hydropower potential, ushering in an era of renewable energy. With monumental projects like Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Inga Dams in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the continent is gearing up to address its energy demands sustainably while driving economic growth.
Northern Kenya is a region rich in resources, cultural diversity, and strategic trade potential, yet it remains underutilized in the national development agenda.
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On July 4, 2025, the United States government formally enacted a legislative measure under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, instituting a Visa Integrity Fee of $250 USD. This additional charge applies to all nonimmigrant visa applicants from countries that are not part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
This initiative is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025, and will apply to all future applicants seeking temporary entry into the United States for tourism, business, education, or short-term employment.
The new fee will affect individuals applying for:
-Tourist Visas (B1/B2)
-Student Visas (F, J, M categories)
-Temporary Work Visas
-Business Visas
Notably, this policy targets citizens of developing nations, including Kenya, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and others not enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program.
Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, including:
-Australia
-Most European Union member states
-Japan
-South Korea
-Singapore
will not be required to pay the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. However, these travelers will experience an increase in their ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) fee, which is expected to rise to $40 USD, nearly double its previous rate.
For Kenyan citizens and others affected, the total cost of a tourist or business visa will rise significantly:
| Category | Amount (USD) | Approx. in KSh |
|---|---|---|
| Current Visa Fee | $185 | ~KSh 24,000 |
| New Integrity Fee | $250 | ~KSh 32,000 |
| Total Cost | $435 | ~KSh 56,000 |
This increase excludes indirect costs such as travel to the US embassy, document certification, and potential visa agent services.
Read this related article: Trump Imposes KSh 32K ‘Integrity Fee’ on US Visa Applicants from Kenya and Other Nations
According to the US administration, the Visa Integrity Fee is intended to:
-Offset administrative and security processing costs
-Deter visa fraud and overstays
-Support border protection and national security measures
The fee serves a dual function of revenue generation and visa system regulation, although critics contend that it places an unequal financial burden on citizens of lower-income nations.
The imposition of the Visa Integrity Fee may have broader consequences:
-It is likely to discourage educational and professional exchanges from nations disproportionately affected by the increased cost.
-The policy may strain bilateral relations, especially with African countries that rely on US partnerships in health, trade, and security.
-It introduces an economic filter into the visa approval process, inadvertently favouring applicants from more affluent backgrounds.
The US Visa Integrity Fee marks a significant policy shift in American immigration and foreign engagement. While it is framed as a security and administrative measure, its broader implications for global mobility, diplomacy, and equity cannot be overlooked. For nations like Kenya, the increased cost may serve as a barrier to opportunity for thousands seeking to visit or study in the United States.
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