Blogger Lynn Ngugi Slams UK Visa Application Centre in Nairobi as ‘Masterclass in Modern-Day Exploitation’

Nairobi, Kenya – June 6, 2025 – Renowned Kenyan journalist and blogger Lynn Ngugi has ignited a firestorm of debate with a scathing critique of the UK Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) in Westlands, Nairobi, labeling its operations a “masterclass in modern-day exploitation.”

Her viral post on X, published June 5, has resonated with thousands of Kenyans and Africans, shedding light on dehumanizing experiences faced by visa applicants and prompting calls for systemic reform.

Ngugi, a celebrated media personality recognized by the BBC as one of the 100 most inspiring women in 2023, detailed appalling conditions at the centre’s new location at Principal Place following its move from 9West.

She described a system designed to exploit desperate applicants, forcing them to pay exorbitant fees for basic dignity.

“Kenyans pay hundreds of dollars, wait in the sun, get misinformed, and walk away feeling less human,” Ngugi wrote in her post, which has since garnered significant attention.

The centre, operated by VFS Global—a private company handling visa services for the UK—charges KES 17,000 (approximately $130 USD) for so-called “VIP/Premium” services, which include air-conditioned waiting rooms and faster processing.

Those unable to afford premium fees are left to queue on the pavement under the scorching sun, with no shaded waiting areas or parking facilities.

Ngugi highlighted the plight of vulnerable groups, including the elderly, parents with children, and students, who are treated “like a security threat” rather than valued applicants.

Adding to the frustration is the centre’s poor communication.

Ngugi recounted how applicants receive vague emails stating “Your passport is ready for collection,” only to be turned away upon arrival due to unadvertised time restrictions, such as collections being limited to 2 PM to 5 PM.

“That means if you show up at 10 AM, you’ll have to wait till 2 PM—or you can easily pay the 17K to be attended to quickly,” she wrote, calling the practice outright exploitation.

The nonrefundable visa fees—standard practice for many embassies—leave applicants with no recourse if their applications are denied, a policy Ngugi decried as normalized indignity.

“This isn’t about security. It’s about power and exploitation,” Ngugi asserted, pointing to a broader systemic issue.

She argued that Global North countries benefit immensely from African labor, talent, and money, yet subject applicants to high fees and undignified treatment.

A recent CNN report from May 2025 supports her claims, revealing that Africans lost nearly $70 million in 2024 to denied visa applications for Europe’s Schengen Area alone, with Nigerians losing over $5 million due to nonrefundable fees of €90 (approximately $100).

Ngugi’s post sparked an outpouring of support and frustration from fellow X users. @KimNgure sarcastically remarked, “I’d like to open my own ‘UK High Commission’ or a ‘US Embassy’ somewhere in Africa,” highlighting the irony of countries that historically exploited Africa through colonialism now profiting from nonrefundable visa fees.

@RutosHairline7 shared their own humiliating experience outside the French embassy in Nairobi, urging Ngugi to produce an episode on her platform addressing visa processing issues across embassies. “I am Kenyan, I could go home. Imagine the people from Congo, Burundi, etc., experiencing such humiliation,” they wrote.

Other users called for policy changes. @MPWambani suggested that African governments should demand full refunds for visa denials, arguing, “If you are not needed in those countries, then why should they keep your money?”

Meanwhile, @bakhita_esther proposed that embassies refund 80% of fees if a visa is denied, deducting only a service fee. @Kambua echoed the sentiment, asking, “Can people get a percentage of their money back when a visa is denied?”

In a follow-up post later that day, Ngugi shared an update after meeting with Mr. Avinash Balu, a representative from VFS Global Centre.

She commended Balu’s prompt response but emphasized that her advocacy was far from over. During the meeting, Ngugi demanded immediate changes: shaded and seated waiting areas for all applicants, designated parking for vulnerable groups, clear and respectful communication in emails and at the entrance, and inclusive feedback channels to ensure every applicant’s voice is heard—not just prominent figures like herself.

“If you’re taking our money, you must also take our concerns, all of them!!” she insisted.

Balu reportedly acknowledged the issues and assured Ngugi that corrective measures were underway, with a senior staff member expected to publicly respond outlining the changes.

However, Ngugi remained cautiously optimistic, vowing to return in three months for a “human dignity audit” to verify implementation of these promises.

“This is not a PR opportunity,” she warned, signaling her intent to hold the centre accountable.

Ngugi’s critique aligns with broader regional challenges in visa processing.

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi acknowledged significant delays in visa appointments in an October 2024 update, citing backlogs from COVID-19 closures—a problem likely exacerbating frustrations at other embassies.

Meanwhile,other reports corroborates Ngugi’s claims, describing VFS Global’s operations as a “two-tier visa economy” that prioritizes wealthier applicants while leaving others to endure harsh conditions.

Ngugi’s activism is consistent with her long-standing commitment to justice and human interest stories. She has campaigned for causes like justice for Ebbie Noelle Samuels and volunteered for cancer patients during her time in Qatar and Dubai.

The controversy has reignited discussions about the need for African governments to protect their citizens from exploitative visa systems.

Ngugi ended her update with a call to action, asking, “Which other embassy must we call out?”—a question that has already prompted responses from users eager to share their own experiences.

As her thread continues to gain traction, it remains to be seen whether her advocacy will lead to lasting change, but one thing is clear: Lynn Ngugi has struck a chord, giving voice to countless Africans tired of surrendering their dignity for the chance to travel abroad.