Lynne Ngugi has brought to light a painful truth that many Kenyans have silently endured for years the inhumane and exploitative experience at the UK Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) in Westlands, Nairobi.
Her bold statement paints a clear picture of what ordinary citizens go through when trying to secure a visa, only to be treated like they don’t matter.
At the heart of the issue is the relocation of the centre to Principal Place, which shockingly lacks basic facilities. There is no proper waiting area and no parking for applicants.
This setup is not accidental it appears to be a strategy to push people into paying KSh 17,000 for so-called VIP or premium services. If you can’t afford it, you are forced to wait outside under the scorching sun, regardless of whether you’re elderly, pregnant, a student, or a parent with young children.
People are literally left on the pavement, treated more like a security threat than someone seeking a simple service.
Lynne described the communication from the centre as trash, and she’s right. Applicants receive vague emails like “your passport is ready for collection,” but when they arrive, they’re turned away because collection hours are only from 2pm to 5pm.
Section of the report Lynne Ngugi has shared. Source/Lynne Ngugi/X
That simple detail could have easily been included in the email. But instead of fixing the issue, the alternative given is to pay KSh 17,000 to get faster service. It’s exploitation hiding in plain sight.
There’s no clear timeline for anything, no courtesy, and no transparency. The entire process feels like you are supposed to guess your way through it.
What’s even worse is that the UK embassy has outsourced these services to a private company that is clearly prioritizing profits over dignity. They take your money, give you poor service, and if your visa is denied, you don’t get any refund.
Kenyans have now become accustomed to this treatment, and that’s the most dangerous part it has been normalized.
Lynne Ngugi took matters further by meeting with Mr. Avinash Balu from the Visa Centre to raise these concerns. She demanded very specific changes including decent waiting areas for all applicants, proper parking, clear communication, and inclusive feedback channels.
She made it clear that every Kenyan deserves respectful treatment, whether or not they are paying extra. Mr. Balu responded positively and promised that changes would be made, including a public update from senior staff.
Lynne vowed to follow up in three months, reminding everyone that this is not a PR show but a fight for dignity.
The current setup is not about safety or security, it’s about power, class, and profit. If countries in the Global North insist on charging high visa fees to Africans, the least they can do is treat people with basic human respect.
Lynne’s exposure is timely and necessary. It forces us to ask hard questions and demand better. How long will Africans continue to beg for respect? Why must they be humiliated just to travel to countries that profit from their talent and money?
