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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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The Trump administration has enacted a new clause under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" that slaps an additional $250 (KSh 32,243) charge on nonimmigrant visa applicants. This "visa integrity fee" is in addition to existing visa costs, and it directly affects most applicants from countries like Kenya.
If you're planning to visit the US for tourism, study, or business from October 1, 2025, you'll be expected to fork out a total of about KSh 56,500—a steep increase from the current KSh 24,000 cost for a tourist or business visa.
The new fee targets foreign nationals who must apply for nonimmigrant visas, including:
-International students
-Short-term business visitors
-Tourist travelers
-Kenyan citizens and those from other developing nations
The bulk of these applicants are from countries not part of the US Visa Waiver Program, which mainly covers wealthy nations like Australia and many in Europe.
Countries under the Visa Waiver Programme are exempt from the full visa process for stays under 90 days. But even they’re not spared entirely. The ESTA fee, which grants temporary entry, is set to double from $21 to at least $40, meaning even the privileged are getting a taste of the Trump administration's revenue-focused immigration reforms.
This policy will significantly affect middle-class Kenyans who wish to study, visit, or do business in the US. Adding over KSh 32,000 on top of an already costly process could make travel inaccessible to many, forcing potential applicants to either delay their plans or abandon them altogether.
Read this related article: Kenyan Visa Applicants Face Visa Denial Without Complete Social Media Disclosure
Additionally, the fee could discourage legitimate visitors while having minimal impact on illegal immigration, which often occurs through visa overstays, not application loopholes.
The official reason is “visa integrity,” but critics argue it’s a thinly veiled tax targeting travelers from countries the administration deems “less favorable.” It serves both as a deterrent and a cash grab, with the US government potentially collecting billions from hopeful travelers.
This move comes at a time when global travel and exchange are just beginning to recover post-pandemic. By introducing new financial hurdles, the policy threatens to undermine educational, cultural, and professional exchange—especially for developing nations.
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