High Commissioner responds to visa denial tirade
Fireworks explode over Tower Bridge during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in London on June 3 2012. In his blog post, Biko says all he ever wanted to see in England was the River Thames. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
According to Dr Turner, the UK visa acceptance rate in Kenya stands at 74 per cent and there are more visas approved than otherwise.
In fact, he adds in the statement, more applications are refused for lack of sufficient supporting documentation than for any other reason.
He concluded that while a visa denial is not a nice experience, an individual is not powerless in the process as he or she has the right to appeal.
The British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Christian Turner, in an official statement, said writer Jackson Biko’s visa denial was nothing personal.
The statement comes against the background of Biko’s blog post titled “Visa Denied”, which he wrote thirty minutes after he received a notice denying him a visa to travel to the UK for a product launch.
Mr Biko's article was a trending topic on Twitter and the High Commissioner had responded to the writer (on Twitter) with an apology.
In the statement, the diplomat says he enjoyed Mr Biko’s blog post and is, in fact, a fan of the writer:
“For those who haven’t read it – you really should. As a piece of satire, it’s top notch: funny; affectionate; and scathing to the core. In finest British tradition, it’s also not above the strategic deployment of a good bottom gag. I appreciate this. I am, after all, from the United Kingdom.I like @bikozulu (Jackson Biko). It’s safe to say I’m even a fan. I have been ever since he interviewed me for Business Daily earlier this year, for another snappily titled piece: The laid back diplomat who sings in the choir.”
He added that while he empathises with Biko’s frustration with the UK visa-application process, the UK High Commission does not approve a visa just because of personal lobbying or connections.
HIGH ACCEPTANCE RATE
He continues to say in the statement that each application is considered on its own individual merit, fairly and without discrimination.
According to Dr Turner, the UK visa acceptance rate in Kenya stands at 74 per cent and there are more visas approved than otherwise.
In fact, he adds in the statement, more applications are refused for lack of sufficient supporting documentation than for any other reason.
He concludes that while a visa denial is not a nice experience, an individual is not powerless in the process as he or she has the right to appeal.
