Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism in Kenya. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. While there have not been any terrorist attacks in Kenya since 2002, we know that Al-Qaeda has the potential to carry out attacks against Western targets. The leadership of Al-Shabaab, a Somalia based Islamist insurgency group, have publicly threatened to attack Kenya should the Kenyan government provide support to the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

The most recent attacks in Kenya include:

• A suicide car bomb attack on a hotel near Mombasa on 28 November 2002, in which at least 15 people died.
• An unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Israeli charter plane on the same day.

These incidents illustrate the continued threat posed by terrorism in Kenya and the capacity of terrorist groups to carry out attacks.

In July 2009, three aid workers were kidnapped from the Kenyan border town of Mandera and taken into Somalia. In November 2008 armed groups based in Somalia crossed into Kenya near the town of El Wak and kidnapped two Western nuns. It is not known why the aid workers or the nuns were targeted. Any travel to remote areas or border regions could put you at risk of being the target of attacks or kidnappings.

You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

For further information see our Terrorism Abroad page.

Crime

There are incidents of car-jacking and armed robbery involving foreign nationals in and around Nairobi.

You should remain vigilant at all times, particularly at night and on the roads that link Nairobi city centre to residential areas. You should avoid stopping at the side of the road and should drive defensively, with vehicle doors locked and windows closed at all times.

Cases of kidnapping have increased recently in Nairobi and some other major towns.  Some have been opportunist crimes linked to car-jackings, while others appear to have been more organised. A resident British citizen was kidnapped on 29 October 2009 and two other recent incidents involved resident European nationals.  Although there is no evidence of the expatriate community being specifically targeted, both resident and visiting British citizens should remain vigilant at all times.  See the Terrorism section of this advice for the British Government's policy on concessions to hostage takers including payment of ransoms.

Muggings and armed attacks by gangs can occur at any time, particularly in Nairobi and Mombasa. Avoid walking around after dark as attacks can occur anywhere, but especially in isolated areas such as empty beaches. There have been a number of armed attacks on golf courses around Nairobi, be extra vigilant while playing in remote areas away from the Club House of any golf courses. Be alert at all times. Do not accept food or drink from strangers as it may be drugged. Only stay in tourist camps with good perimeter security. If in doubt, seek advice from your tour operator or the Kenya Tourist Federation (Tel:  + 254 20 604730). Do not carry valuables or wear jewellery in public places. Do not carry credit cards or cash cards unless you must:  people have been forced by thieves to withdraw cash. Beware of thieves posing as police officers; always ask to see identification.

In August 2009 a British resident was attacked and killed near Voi. Another British resident was killed in Thika in October and one in Nairobi in November. Two British visitors were killed during their stay in Mombasa in October.  

We advise against all but essential travel to low income areas of Nairobi, including all township or slum areas, which experience high crime levels. Such areas include, but are not limited to, Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, Kariobangi and Kawangware.

We advise against all but essential travel to within 30 kilometres of the border with Somalia. There remains a high threat of clashes between the Kenyan military and armed Somali groups along the border. There have been recent attacks on the border town of Mandera by Somali militias.

Incidents of armed car-hijackings are more prevalent in Nairobi and Mombasa but can occur in any area of the country. Do not attempt to escape from hijackers or resist their demands (See Local Travel for more information).

You should take sensible precautions for your personal and vehicle safety, travelling in convoy in remote areas.

If you are involved in any security incident you should insist with both the Kenyan authorities and your tour operator that the British High Commission be informed straight away.

For more general information see our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Political Situation

Kenya Country Profile

On 13 April 2008 President Kibaki announced a Grand Coalition cabinet bringing to an end weeks of negotiation following the signing of a power-sharing agreement on 28 February.  However tension in Kenya remains, particularly in parts of Rift Valley and Central Province, which received large influxes of Kenyans displaced in the post-election violence.

Local Travel

Large public gatherings and demonstrations occur from time to time and should be avoided. Any rallies, even if advertised as peaceful, could potentially turn violent. You should check local media reports for information on future demonstrations.

Rural areas, and in particular the arid north and north eastern parts of Kenya experience sporadic cattle rustling, banditry and ethnic clashes which regularly cause fatalities. Whilst foreigners are not usually the targets of localised violence and banditry, travel in the north and north east should only be undertaken with care and after seeking the advice of the police and in convoy with at least two vehicles to ensure back-up. You should be alert and avoid demonstrations and gatherings of people in these areas, which could turn violent.

Most visits to game reserves and other tourist areas are trouble-free. Since May 2009 there has been an influx of armed herdsmen with large numbers of cattle into some game parks. Operations by the authorities to remove them, particularly in the Shaba and Buffalo Springs reserves in the Isiolo area of Eastern Province, have given rise to tension and resultant insecurity in the area. Whilst there is no evidence that tourists are deliberately targeted, there have been isolated incidents of tourists being caught in clashes. There have also been reports of bandits attacking vehicles travelling on the road from Isiolo to Archer's Post towards the reserves. Travellers planning to use this road should travel in convoy or by air.

Robberies of visitors to other game parks, including the Masai Mara have also occasionally been reported. A robbery within the park on 8 October 2009 involved two British nationals. Security at camps within the Masai Mara has been stepped up as a result of recent incidents. If you wish to visit reserves you should use reputable tour operators and arrive at your destination in daylight hours. You are advised not to buy safari tours from touts but only through reputable agencies or from your hotel. You should always follow park regulations and wardens' advice, but be aware that there are risks associated with viewing wildlife, particularly on foot or at close range. Bathing in rivers and lakes is forbidden National Parks and is best avoided elsewhere due to the dangers from both wildlife and from water-borne diseas.

The area of Mount Elgon in Western Kenya (next to the Ugandan border) has been the site of armed clashes since December 2006. A large-scale security operation in early 2008 has stabilised the area but a large security force presence remains and there continues to be a risk of further incidents. You should seek local advice if intending to travel in the area of Mount Elgon.

The border with Somalia has been closed since 3 January 2007. In addition landmines have in the past been used in attacks around Moyale, close to the main A2 road south. Vehicles crossing the Kenya-Ethiopia border at this point should stay on the A2, avoid staying at the rest house at Sololo, and travel directly to Marsabit Town before breaking the journey.

The border with Somalia has been closed since 3 January 2007. In addition landmines have in the past been used in attacks around Moyale, close to the main A2 road south. Vehicles crossing the Kenya-Ethiopia border at this point should stay on the A2, avoid staying at the rest house at Sololo, and travel directly to Marsabit Town before breaking the journey.

If you visit Lamu Island, do so by air if possible. This is for security reasons and also because of the bad road conditions. Buses and other vehicles on the road to Lamu have been attacked by armed robbers in the past and overland travel from Lamu to Malindi should only be undertaken in an armed police convoy.

Road Travel

An UK driving licence is sufficient in Kenya for up to three months. For stays of longer than three months a Kenyan driving licence is required. Only hire vehicles from reputable companies.

Take care if driving, especially at night, as road conditions and driving standards are often poor. You are advised to avoid driving at night wherever possible.

There have been a number of serious accidents involving Kenyan long-distance bus services. Vehicles are often poorly maintained, and driven at excessive speed even on poorly maintained roads. Check with any bus operator on the standards they observe before using this form of transport. Another common form of public transport is the matatu, usually a minibus plying a specific route. Though very cheap to use, matatus are notorious for being poorly maintained, badly driven and in some instances do not have proper insurance cover. There are frequent reports of matatus being hijacked, or of passengers being robbed. You are advised to think carefully before using matatus.

For more general information see our Driving Abroad page.

Rail Travel

Passenger trains run between Nairobi and Kisumu and between Nairobi and Mombasa. Quoted arrival and departure times may vary. First, second and third class compartments are available on both routes. Doors can only be locked from the inside. Passengers are advised to take care of their belongings while on the train and at the railway stations. If you are leaving your compartment, it is advisable to take your valuables with you.

Air Travel

We are concerned about the lack of security arrangements in place at Wilson airport in Nairobi. The airport is mainly used for domestic flights, including charters. Concerns have been raised with the Kenyan authorities. We continue to monitor the situation. You should remain vigilant at all times when transiting airports.

If you plan to charter a private aircraft, you are advised to check with the company's Safety Pilot about the condition of the aircraft and runways to be used. If the company has no Safety Pilot, seek another that does.

For more general information see our Airline Security page.
 

Sea Travel

Mariners should be aware that attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships, yachts and other vessels are frequent and continuing in the Indian Ocean around the Horn of Africa, particularly off the coast of Somalia, and along the East Coast. All vessels transiting these areas that are not able to keep 600 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia are urged, whilst navigating in the region, to operate at a heightened state of alert.

All vessels transiting the East Coast of Somalia are recommended to inform the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) of their transit and periodically update them with their position Course and Speed UKMTO can be contacted via:

UKMTO Dubai -
Email: ukmtodubai@eim.ae
Phone: +971-50-552-3215 or +971-50-552-6007
Facsimile: +971-4-306-5710
Telex: (51) 210473

Mariners can find more general information on our River and Sea Safety page.