US embassy officials in Kenya interviewed by Nation journalists
Posted on May 14, 2008 by kenyanobserver
The US embassy gives the Nation newspaper journalists open access to the embassy and an official sits down with the journalists for an interview.
Scott Riedmann of the US embassy explained to the journalists how the US embassy screens applicants before a visa is issued.
Filed under: Kenya News | Tagged: embassy, interview, kenya, us
Just good PR on the part of the Americans as a response to numerous complaints. Cultural differences can be blamed for the misunderstandings: The Americans are from a Western society who want as little personal contact as possible with visa applicants and where decisions are based purely on facts and figures. The visa applicants come from an African society where things get done on the basis of personal connections or relationships.
Have you noticed that when Africans (or is it Kenyans?) want official assistance, they must automatically seek someone they know or someone who, “looks friendly?”
I was laughing with myself as I read your comment because even after being away from Kenya for so long, I still find myself retreating to these traits when I’m in a tight corner.