Twitter Activity Will Cost You During Visa Application, MPS Warned

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Ambassador Macharia Kamau has cautioned Members of Parliament (MPs) on their social media activity, especially on Twitter.

Addressing the MPs during their week-long induction in Nairobi, the PS told MPs that too many followers on social media would cause hurdles when respective owners want to travel to countries such as the United States.

This is because these countries have set particular laws that require several layers of approval among such individuals before the Visas are given.

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Such individuals fall under the Politically Exposed Personality (PEP) category, and the procedures for obtaining the Visas may be very tedious to discourage leaders from making trips.

When you have many followers as an MP, you are now politically exposed. Once you become an MP or a highly active political actor when your Twitter handle has a million people, that is enough trigger that you are now a PEP,” Said Macharia.

“This means that because of the current US legislation, put during Obama years, they are now keeping an eye on those who are politically active, not just for money which was but also for political activity,” he stated.

The ongoing MPs retreat at Nairobi Safari Park Hotel kicked off on Monday and is expected to run through to Saturday.

The induction was meant to equip house members with more information about their roles as well as the procedures of the house.

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According to the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, the event is a great opportunity to help members understand what is required of them and give them the required morale to start serving their electorate.

By the end of the week, the legislators will also have been taken through several issues affecting the country, including security, the economy and the formulation of laws. They will also be briefed on issues to do with diplomacy.

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