Travel Advice: Kenya

There is extreme risk to your security along the Kenya/Somalia border due to the significant risk of kidnapping and we advise against all travel within 150 kilometres of the entire border, including in coastal areas. On 13 October 2011, two Spanish doctors working in a refugee camp 80 kilometres from the Somali border were kidnapped. On 1 October 2011, a French national was kidnapped from her beachfront property on Manda Island and taken by boat to Somalia – she is now believed to have died while being held captive. On 11 September 2011, two British nationals were attacked at a resort north of Lamu – one was killed in the attack and the other kidnapped. Kenya’s border with Somalia has been closed since January 2007 due to instability in Somalia.

There is extreme risk to your security in the border areas shared with Ethiopia and South Sudan and we advise against all travel within 30 kilometres of these borders. Cross-border kidnapping and armed banditry make these border areas extremely unsafe.

There is high risk to your security in the high density, low income areas of Nairobi due to the high level of violent crime and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to these areas, particularly the suburbs of Kibera, Mathare, Kasirani and Eastleigh.

There is some risk to your security elsewhere in Kenya due to the threat from terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and civil unrest and we advise caution.

Terrorism
There is a high threat from terrorism in Kenya. Attacks could be directed against locations frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers or identifiably Western targets. Somali insurgents have publicly threatened to carry out attacks in Kenya. Since late April 2011, the Kenyan authorities have adopted heightened security measures due to the threat from terrorism.

Kenyan authorities have recently warned of a heightened threat of terrorist attacks in Nairobi. On 7 January 2012 the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued an alert advising terrorists may be in the late stages of planning attacks in Nairobi. Attacks could be indiscriminate, targeting Kenyan institutions and places where westerners gather. New Zealanders in Kenya are advised to exercise extra vigilance and caution in public places and at public events.

There have been a number of recent terrorist attacks in Kenya. In December 2011 an explosion killed a Kenyan police officer and injured others at the Dadaab refugee camp. In November 2011 a grenade attack killed two people in Garissa. In October 2011 a grenade attack on a bar near the business district in Nairobi injured 12 people and an explosion at a bus stop in central Nairobi reportedly killed one person and injured several others.

Al-Qaeda has previously carried out terrorist attacks in Kenya – against a hotel in Kikambala (near Mombasa) in 2002, killing 15 people and against the US Embassy in 1998, killing 225 people and injuring over 5000 others. Further attacks cannot be ruled out.

On 7 October 2011, the US Government issued a warning about possible terrorist attacks in Kenya. The warning relates to credible information about a potential threat to public venues broadcasting international sporting events in Kenya.

New Zealanders in Kenya are advised to be security conscious at all times and follow any instructions and restrictions issued by the local authorities. Particular care should be taken in crowded and public areas known to be frequented by expatriates and foreigners. Additional security measures such as avoiding areas with large crowds and visiting businesses during off-peak hours should be considered.

Kidnapping
Recent credible reports suggest that militants may be planning to kidnap Westerners in Kenya, particularly along the border with Somalia. New Zealanders in Kenya are advised to be vigilant about their personal security throughout the country and keep a low profile in public places.

Civil unrest
New Zealanders in Kenya are advised to avoid all demonstrations, protests and large public gatherings as even those intended as peaceful have the potential to turn violent with little warning. On 13 June 2010, two explosions at a rally in Uhuru Park in central Nairobi resulted in the deaths of six people and injuries to over 100 others – many as a result of a stampede following the explosions.

Violent crime
Violent crime including car-jacking, home invasion and armed robbery occurs from time to time throughout Kenya. We recommend you avoid walking and travelling at night and to isolated areas and avoid displaying or wearing items that appear valuable, such as cameras and jewellery. When travelling by car, it is advisable to keep doors locked and windows up at all times, hide valuables from view and not stop to assist with vehicle breakdowns, clear debris from the road or pick up hitchhikers. Travel in remote areas should be undertaken in convoy. No resistance should be given if you are the victim of an armed robbery, mugging or carjacking as this could lead to an escalation in violence.

Scams
Commercial and internet fraud is a common problem in many African countries. New Zealanders in Kenya should be wary of any offers that seem too good to be true, as they may be a scam. For further information see our advice on Internet Fraud and International Scams.

Piracy
Piracy has been reported in the coastal waters off Kenya. Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take appropriate precautionary measures in these waters. For more information view the International Maritime Bureau's piracy report.

General travel advice
New Zealanders travelling or living in Kenya should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air.

New Zealanders in Kenya are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.