Check-mate, immigration equality! 29 Kenyan chess players – all aged under 12 – have been denied visas to go compete in the ongoing World Cadet Chess Championships in Italy.
It’s not the first time young Kenyan chess players have faced inexplicable immigration barriers.
In June 2019, two champs were denied US visas. The then-US Ambassador Kyle McCarter had the gaul to post a photo of himself with the pair, hailing them as Kenya’s future and friends of the US.
The Italian Chess Federation has stepped up in the current debacle – backing a Kenyan appeal. Do the right thing, @ItalyinKenya!
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/search/posts/?q=kenyan%20chess%20champions%20denied%20US%20visa
https://x.com/USAmbKenya/status/1143895000121585666/photo/1