Kenya Travel Security

Kenya is a destination that calls for considerable caution on the part of visitors. In the aftermath of violence following disputed elections in December 2007, the situation remains tense and fragile, despite the signing of a power-sharing agreement aimed at calming the unrest. Although travel operators have resumed tours, seek local advice before traveling in the country.

Avoid large gatherings and exercise caution also when frequenting prominent public places and landmarks; crime, especially in Nairobi, has been increasing dramatically.

Kenya has been the scene of high-profile terrorist attacks in recent years, including one that specifically targeted travelers and foreign visitors. The country still faces threats from international terrorism because of its perceived friendships with Western democracies. Western governments continue to warn of potential terrorist threats including suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. Many of those responsible for the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in 1998 and on a hotel in Mombasa in 2002 remain at large and continue to operate in the region. These are the reasons for its risk rating of 8.

High-risk Areas

Avoid travel in the Central and Rift Valley provinces, where ongoing clashes have been reported between the police and an outlawed criminal sect. Because of high crime levels, low-income slum areas and townships in Nairobi, including the Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, Kariobangi and Kawangware districts, are dangerous. These areas and Nyeri, Nakuru and Eldoret towns are also prone to demonstrations and violence.

Remote areas near Kenya's border with Somalia should be regarded as hazardous. The border is relatively porous, and Islamic militants fleeing from Ethiopian military units in Somalia have raised new concerns about security in the area.

President Mwai Kibaki's National Rainbow Coalition has suffered from factional infighting, mainly related to changes to the country's 40-year-old constitution. In advance of a November 2005 referendum on a new constitution, the coalition split along party and ethnic lines, with those closest to President Kibaki keen to retain a strong presidency.

Scores of people were injured and at least seven were killed in violence leading up to the constitutional referendum. Kibaki was a strong supporter of the draft constitution, but his efforts to build consensus were unsuccessful. The electorate returned a 57% "no" vote that many believed was a protest against Kibaki's leadership. This prompted Kibaki to sack his entire government and start with a new team in December 2005 that excluded all the ministers who voted against the draft.

The "no" campaigners formed a new opposition alliance known as the Orange Democratic Movement, which then became the main opposition to the ruling Rainbow Coalition--now called the Party of National Unity--in presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2007. Raila Odinga, one of the ministers earlier sacked by Kibaki, was the main opposition candidate for president. Hundreds of people reportedly died in election-related clashes in the months leading up to the vote, but most observers said the vote itself appeared generally orderly, with no major disruptions reported.

Even before the official results were announced, however, Odinga's camp cried foul, accusing Kibaki of stealing the election through systematic rigging of the tallying process. Nevertheless, Kibaki was sworn in for a second five-year term immediately after the electoral commission announced he had beaten Odinga by more than 230,000 votes.

Rioting broke out across the country when the news was released. A delegation led by former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan worked to resolve the situation and a power-sharing agreement was signed in February 2008. The following April, Kibaki announced a new power-sharing cabinet with Odinga as the new prime minister--however, most key posts remain with Kibaki's close followers.

The resulting "Grand Coalition" has been characterized by rivalry, high costs and slow momentum to carry out reforms. The most contentious issue is a proposed amnesty for those involved in the post-election violence. Wide political differences remain between Kibaki's party, which is dominated by members of Kenya's largest tribe, the Kikuyus, and Odinga's party, which is drawn from his Luo tribe and an array of other ethnic groups.

The post-election violence hit the Kenyan economy hard during the first quarter of 2008. Business groups estimated that some 400,000 jobs were lost, and economic growth, running at 6% in June 2008, is expected to slow to 4%. Inflation running at 26% in April 2008 is forecast to rise further, and the tourism sector has been severely damaged. The agriculture sector has also been heavily affected, which will have long-term effects on Kenya's economy.

Nevertheless, the capital, Nairobi, remains the primary hub of east Africa. It enjoys the region's best transportation links, communications infrastructure and trained personnel. A variety of foreign firms maintain regional representative offices in the city.

Historical background

Following independence from Britain in 1963, Kenya was a de facto one-party state, and in 1982, the ruling Kenya African National Union made itself the only legal party. In 1992, multiparty democracy was restored, although KANU maintained its stronghold on power for several more years, winning the 1992 and 1997 general elections against a divided opposition.

In the December 2002 elections, however, the opposition united and won a convincing victory. The constitution barred KANU leader Daniel arap Moi (who had served as president for 25 years) from standing for re-election. Kibaki won more than 60% of the vote in the presidential race, and his National Rainbow Coalition secured a majority in the National Assembly. The elections, although marred by violence and fraud, were applauded as the cleanest and most peaceful in Kenya's history and were followed by an unprecedented smooth transfer of power.

International terrorism

Although the threat has remained high and there have been many terrorist alerts, no major attacks have occurred in Kenya in the past few years. Western-owned hotels and government buildings, such as embassies, are considered likely targets for attacks by international terrorists.

In June 2007, a suspected suicide bomber died when the device he was carrying exploded near the Nairobi Ambassador hotel. Several other people were injured. The incident occurred close to the site of the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing that killed more than 200 people.

All threats are taken seriously, because Islamic extremist groups have unleashed a good deal of violence on targets in Kenya, including the U.S. Embassy, which suffered an attack in 1998 that killed 12 U.S. nationals, 32 foreign-service workers and 247 Kenyans. The U.S. government held Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida responsible for that attack.

In the wake of attacks on Kenyan soil, the government has tightened security controls on Asian and Arab residents. The restrictions have angered Muslims in Kenya, some of whom have reacted by torching Christian churches--actions that were roundly criticized by local Islamic leaders.

More recently, Kenya's antiterrorism force has begun to assist tourists arriving at and departing from Mombasa's Moi International Airport. In addition, police have stepped up security at hotels. Similar measures are being taken in the Malindi and Kwale districts.

Border and regional issues

Because of the instability in Somalia, the border with that country has been closed since January 2007. Dozens of people have been killed in ongoing tribal and interclan fighting in the northeast along that border. Refugees fleeing fighting in Somalia frequently have escaped to Kenya.

Despite internal tensions in Sudan and Ethiopia, Kenya has maintained good relations with its northern neighbors. Nevertheless, northern Kenya has long remained insecure, with cross-border raids becoming deadlier in recent years as clan fighters acquire sophisticated weapons, mainly through the porous frontiers. Those planning to travel to the area should monitor the situation and seek current local advice before setting out.

Relations with Uganda and Tanzania have improved as the three countries work for mutual economic benefit. Still, clashes have occured at the border with Uganda near Pokot, where Ugandan soldiers have been attacking Pokot herdsmen. Kenyan forces have been deployed to assist the armed Pokot, but civilians continue to abandon the area as the clashes continue.

Religious and sectarian issues

In summer 2007, members of the banned Mungiki religious sect began terrorizing villagers on the outskirts of Nairobi, leaving behind a trail of dozens of beheaded corpses. Police said they had found leaflets allegedly circulated by the group calling on Kenyan youths to join up and prepare for an uprising against the government.

Mungiki is believed to have thousands of adherents, all drawn from the Kikuyu. The group was inspired by the bloody Mau Mau rebellion against British colonial rule in the 1950s. In recent years, it has been linked to extortion, murder and political violence.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights accused the police of involvement in the execution-style killings of nearly 500 sect members in Nairobi June-November 2007. Almost all had been shot in the back of the head. Kenya's national police commissioner accused the KNCHR of vilifying the police in order to attract media attention and flatly denied any police involvement in extrajudicial killings--nevertheless, he said investigations were being carried out.

In April 2008, police reportedly shot dead a dozen people amid protests across the country. Mungiki sect members were reportedly protesting after the discovery of the beheaded body of the wife of the sect's leader--youths blocked roads with burning tires and vehicles and attacked motorists in Nairobi, and several towns in the Rift Valley region--a Nairobi commuter train was derailed after protesters tore up the tracks. Youths also torched a police building in the capital. Clashes were also reported in the western towns of Naivasha, Nakuru and Eldoret.

Superstition is endemic in Kenya. In May 2008 a group of several hundred men hunted down and killed 11 elderly people they accused of witchcraft in western Kenya. The gang moved from home to home through two villages, identifying their victims by using a list with names of suspected witches and wizards and the type of spells they were believed to have cast on the community. They then cut the throats or clubbed the eight women and three men before burning their bodies.

Attempts to crack down on terrorists have led to charges of discrimination against the Muslim population in majority-Christian Kenya. The controversial draft constitution, which split President Kibaki's government and spawned violent protests, gives rights to Islamic "kadhi" courts in Muslim family and personal matters, which the opposition argues is tantamount to legitimizing Shariah law.

Racial and ethnic tensions

The sparsely populated northern half of Kenya experiences recurrent ethnic conflicts, as well as tribal and clan rivalries. In the past several years, incidents have occurred in the Keiro Valley, the northern Rift Valley sections of Laikipia and Nakuru districts, and other areas north of Mount Kenya.

Exercise caution in rural areas near farms and plantations. In May 2007, 37 tribespeople died in two incidents in Turkana District when members of one group raided villages inhabited by another and stole livestock, prompting revenge attacks by the owners.

Civil unrest

In February 2007, the government banned all political protests and demonstrations across the country. The internal security minister outlawed all street protests called by civil societies or political parties unless sanctioned by various district security committees, which are directly under his control.

The country continues to experience civil unrest fueled by difficult political and economic conditions, as well as ethnic, interclan and intergang rivalries--student demonstrations and other protests frequently boil out into the streets. Demonstrations deemed illegal often are met with force and frequently turn violent.

Register with your embassy immediately upon arrival. Monitor local media for updates on the situation in the country and avoid all demonstrations or other large public gatherings, especially if they appear political in nature. If violence or rioting breaks out near your location, attempt to go to your consulate. If you can't get to the consulate, return to your hotel or take shelter in a large public building such as a hotel, museum, hospital or department store, then contact the consulate by phone. Avoid government buildings and police stations, which may serve as a focus for public anger. In your hotel, resist the temptation to watch unrest--stay away from windows and keep the drapes closed.

Institutional corruption

Corruption involving senior government ministers and officials has been a major public concern since 2004, when allegations emerged that the government was involved in a multimillion-dollar scam linked to bogus security contracts. By early 2006, this issue, known as the Anglo Leasing affair, threatened to topple the very government that promised to rid the country of its corrupt past.

An explosive report by John Githongo, the man appointed by the president to help expose dodgy deals, implicated a number of senior ministers, including the finance minister, as well as the vice president. The most damning element in Githongo's report was the claim that the president had been told what was going on as long ago as October 2004. In February 2006, after interviewing Githongo in the U.K., where he had fled following death threats, Kenya's Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee said it would present a report to parliament, but the government has reportedly blocked further action on the matter.

Human-rights abuses

In January 2008, Human Rights Watch said that the police had been using lethal force including gunfire, to break up anti-government protests. HRW said Kenyan police in several cities had used live ammunition to disperse protesters and looters--the police said they had only shot looters.

In its 2008 report Amnesty International said that the police continued to use excessive force and carry out unlawful killings as the authorities failed to investigate allegations of police brutality. Violence against women and girls, including rape and domestic violence, remained a serious concern.

AI reported that there were no official investigations after more than 100 people of various nationalities, including Kenyan nationals, were unlawfully transferred to Somalia and Ethiopia as part of the "war on terror." Violence against women and girls, including rape, persisted.

The government has continued to target parts of the independent media. In December 2007, as political tension mounted following the disputed presidential election results, the authorities banned live broadcasting by the Kenyan media. In June 2008, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that a New Zealand-born photojournalist was murdered in Nairobi--he had not been robbed of his wallet.

Land mines and unexploded ordnance

In areas where military drills are conducted, land-mine contamination and unexploded ordnance are endemic. There have been reports of land mines along the border with Somalia and close to the A2 road from Ethiopia.

In destinations with areas that have been contaminated with land mines or unexploded ordnance, never pick up any unidentified metal or plastic object. Report any finds to local authorities. Exercise caution around construction areas, as mines or ordnance could be uncovered during excavation. Travelers should be accompanied or briefed by guides familiar with mined areas. To the extent possible, remain on well-traveled roads, tracks and paths. Under no circumstances should you enter an area marked as mined.

Additional information

There have been incidents of violence against adults who were suspected of child stealing. Visitors to rural areas should be cautious in their dealings with children and may want to avoid giving them candy or taking their photos. Adoptive parents traveling with their children should carry copies of adoption paperwork at all times.

Violent crime is a serious concern in Nairobi, Mombasa and other cities. Street-level crime is common, and muggings occur with some frequency. Amid a dramatic increase in crime in Nairobi, Kenya's interior minister ordered security forces to shoot to kill anyone found carrying illegal firearms. In

A major increase in crime and vigilante attacks has been reported in 2008. In July 2008, five people died in a shootout between police and criminals in the Nairobi Holiday Inn parking lot in an upscale residential area.

In addition to the fighting between rival parties and ethnic groups, more break-ins were recorded in January 2008 than for all of 2007 and the rape rate rocketed to its highest level in six years. Residents said they were carrying out their own punishments against criminals because police were been too busy coping with Kenya's post-election chaos to prevent theft and looting.

Petty crime

Incidents of thefts from hotel rooms and from travelers en route by air to Kenya have regularly been reported. It's best not to bring into the country anything you can't afford to lose. Cash, identification, credit and debit cards, and travel documents, including passports and airline tickets, seem to be particularly targeted. Take pains to safeguard wallets and documents while on flights to and from Kenya, as well as when going through security at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Theft from vehicles stopped at traffic lights or stopped for other reasons is common. Keep doors locked and windows rolled up, and don't leave valuables in locations where they're easily visible.

Large numbers of homeless children live on the streets of Nairobi. Many left their homes because of poverty and others because they were orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Poor planning and a lack of funds have hampered government efforts to transfer the children to state-run homes. These street children have been blamed for increased crime in the capital; vehicle side mirrors are their favorite targets for theft.

Violent crime

Carjackings are the most common crime, occurring at a rate of as many as eight a day, and criminals sometimes set up roadblocks (occasionally impersonating police officers) to facilitate robbery. Generally, no one is injured in such incidents, but almost all carjackings involve firearms or other weapons. In January 2007, a U.S. Embassy employee and his family were robbed in a carjacking attempt in which two people, including the embassy worker, were killed. If you're carjacked, giving up the keys can save your life. Drivers should keep a sharp watch for roadblocks.

Many robberies involve weapons. Keep valuables in your hotel's safe-deposit box and don't walk alone at night. In Mombasa in December 2007 gunmen opened fire on a van carrying a group of Italian tourists, injuring some before robbing them. Later in the same month, also in Mombasa, police recovered the body of a white man, believed to be a tourist, who was killed before being dumped at a garbage site.

In July 2008, two missionaries from the U.S. and Canada were badly injured in an attack and robbery at their house in Mount Elgon. Both victims, whose faces were severely slashed while their house was being ransacked, were employed by the Canadian charity Hope for the Nations.

There have been incidents of "beach boys" with knives attacking visitors walking along beaches in Mombasa. Victims have suffered minor injuries and lost digital cameras, as well as cash and jewelry, to the thieves.

Highway banditry is common in remote, sparsely populated northern areas, but it also occurs on Kenya's main highways, particularly after dark. In August 2007, three people, including a member of late President Jomo Kenyatta's family, were killed by a gang of 10 armed thugs who terrorized motorists on the Ruiru to Githunguri road. Because of such incidents, air travel is recommended when visiting the coastal resorts north of Malindi. Visitors to Garissa and Lake Turkana should travel with police escorts or convoys organized by the government.

Although most travelers visit Kenya's famed game preserves without trouble, there have been reports of armed banditry in and around the parks, and poachers are active. In May 2007, three wildlife rangers and four poachers were killed in a skirmish in the Tana River District, home to three national parks but also notorious for poaching activities. The Kenyan government has strengthened security, but precautions should be taken, particularly in Masai Mara, Samburu and Leshaba parks. Use reputable travel firms and knowledgeable guides and drivers.

To reduce the risk of carjacking, avoid driving alone, especially at night. Keep an eye on persons and vehicles in the vicinity of your vehicle at all times, particularly when stopped at intersections or crosswalks. When driving, try to stay near the center lanes when possible. Always try to leave sufficient maneuvering room between your car and the cars beside and in front of you, especially when stopping in traffic. Check your rear-view mirror regularly to ensure you are not being followed. If you are, do not return to your hotel/residence. Proceed instead to a public place such as the front of a hotel or a police station; get out of the vehicle and seek assistance. Keep your windows rolled up and doors locked at all times. If you encounter a roadblock that does not appear to be manned by uniformed police or you notice a disturbance on the road ahead, turn around and use an alternate route. To minimize the chance of being trapped by a car pulling up behind you, do not pull into a driveway. Be prepared to drive away if you notice persons approaching your vehicle. Plan before you start your trip where you will go to seek assistance if a car attempts to block you or if you are prevented from reaching your destination.

Kidnapping

Remote areas near Kenya's border with Somalia have been the sites of violent criminal activity, including kidnappings.

In areas where kidnapping is a threat, it's important to maintain a low profile and don't let your actions or movements become predictable. Don't do, say or wear anything that draws attention to yourself or your nationality. Don't discuss travel plans or financial matters in public. Try to vary your route for any routine travel, and don't depart for or return from work or appointments at the same time every day. If you think you're being followed or surveilled, go to a police station, your embassy or another public place, such as a hotel or museum, and seek assistance.

White-collar crime

ATM and credit-card fraud and robbery have become problems, and have escalated recently into incidents of "express kidnapping," in which criminals take someone they've abducted to a series of ATMs until the account is drained. Use only ATMs at well-guarded locations, such as banks. Use caution when paying with a credit card.

Piracy

There have been attacks on ships in the vicinity of Kenyan waters, particularly near the Kenya-Somalia border. Typical raids off the coast of Africa involve a group armed with knives and assault rifles that uses small speedboats to surround a vessel, especially if it has slowed down for any reason. The pirates then fire at the bridge to force the crew to stop, at which point the vessel is boarded and looted. Often members of the crew will be kidnapped and held for ransom.

Police effectiveness

Although the government has worked to improve the quality of policing, the police force has been widely accused of brutality and corruption. According to some reports, 90% of people shot in Kenya are victims of the police. In an effort to curb corruption, many judges have been forced to resign, which has had an adverse effect on the country's judicial system.

Authorities in Nairobi recently doubled the number of police on the city's streets in an attempt to curb the increase in crime. Nevertheless, police have almost no ability to prevent crime and may not be able to respond to calls for assistance because of shortages of equipment and/or personnel.

Drought is an ongoing problem in the Eastern and North Eastern provinces, and aid agencies report that Kenya is one of the worst-affected countries from a drought that has ravaged east Africa since late 2005.

That said, the highlands west of the Rift Valley and parts of Central Province continue to experience periodic heavy rains, particularly during the short October –November rainy season, which can saturate the ground and cause local flooding.

Wild animals are another hazard to be aware of.

Earthquakes

A series of earthquakes, including a tremor with a magnitude of 6.1, shook much of southern Kenya in July 2007.

Flooding

Localized flooding can make roads impassable and occasionally results in evacuations.

During the rainy season, only four-wheel-drive vehicles with high clearance can navigate the many unpaved roads.

Floods kill more people than any other weather phenomenon--and most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Do not drive in an area where flooding is expected unless your journey is absolutely necessary. Water on roadways can be deeper than it looks and could cause your vehicle to stall. Do not attempt to drive through water if you are unsure of its depth, especially if the water is flowing rapidly, such as at a flooded bridge approach--as little as 12 in/30 cm of running water can wash away most vehicles. When proceeding through water, drive slowly and steadily to avoid creating a bow wave, and allow oncoming traffic to pass first. Keep the engine revving to prevent water getting into the exhaust and stalling the engine. Note that the air intake on many modern cars is located low down at the front of the engine bay, and it only takes a small quantity of water sucked into the engine to cause serious damage. Any engine may be affected, but turbo-charged and diesel engines are most vulnerable. If your car stalls, immediately abandon it and climb to higher ground. As you move away, watch your footing. Just 6 in/15 cm of fast-moving floodwater can sweep a person off his or her feet. Test your brakes as soon as you can after driving through water.

Animals

Hippos kill more people every year in Africa than any other wild animal. They come ashore at night to graze and will attack anything that comes between them and the water, where they feel safe.

There are occasional reports of baboons and other wild animals venturing beyond game reserves and causing havoc in villages and towns.

Provision for health care in Kenya is limited.

Medical facilities

Outside Nairobi, medical facilities are poor, so secure comprehensive insurance that covers medical evacuation.

Diseases

Malaria is endemic, particularly in the coastal and Lake Victoria regions.

An outbreak of ebola hemorrhagic fever in neighboring DR Congo prompted Kenyan authorities in September 2007 to require health screenings for all visitors coming from areas affected by the disease. No cases of ebola have been reported in Kenya.

There are frequent outbreaks of cholera. In July 2008 public health workers in Mombasa were put on high alert after another cholera outbreak was reported in the vicinity of the tourist resort. Flooding can increase the likelihood of outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including cholera and dysentery.

In May 2007, the World Heath Organization said that Rift Valley fever, transmitted through livestock infected by drinking contaminated water, had killed at least 155 people in six months in flood-hit northeastern Kenya, confirming fears that the viral disease might explode into an epidemic. In a bid to contain the outbreak, the government established a disease-control buffer zone covering parts of North Eastern, Eastern and Coast provinces. The disease is usually associated with mosquito-borne epidemics during years of unusually heavy rainfall or flooding.

HIV/AIDS is endemic, and transmission can occur through substandard medical facilities.

Mosquitoes carry many serious illnesses, including dengue fever, malaria and West Nile virus. To prevent bites and avoid infection, reduce the amount of exposed skin by wearing long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes when you're outdoors. Use insect repellent containing deet on exposed skin. Avoid outdoor activities from dusk to dawn, the time when mosquitoes are most active.

Cholera is usually contracted after consuming contaminated water or food. In areas where the disease is endemic, visitors should take care not to consume untreated water (including ice) or eat undercooked or raw foods, especially fish or shellfish. Stick to beverages and ice that are made from boiled or chlorinated water or that are carbonated. Foods that are cooked and served hot are usually safe. Fruits and vegetables that you wash with clean water and peel yourself also are generally safe. Don't assume that food and beverages served on airline flights, trains or vessels departing from affected areas are safe--items served on board the aircraft may have been locally obtained and could be contaminated. Seek medical assistance if you think you may have been exposed.

Waterborne diseases can cause a variety of serious health problems, including cholera, norovirus and amebiasis. In areas where chlorinated water is not available or where hygiene and sanitation are generally poor, you should consider both liquid water and ice unsafe. Stick to the following, which generally are considered safe: Beverages made with boiled water, such as tea and coffee; canned or bottled carbonated beverages; beer; and wine. It's usually safer to drink beverages directly from the bottle or can, but be sure to wipe off any water on the outside of the container. In areas where water may be contaminated, avoid brushing your teeth with tap water.

Additional information

Water is of variable quality and you should not drink local public water or use it for brushing teeth or for ice.

Blood supplies are not considered safe.

The threat of banditry makes nighttime travel outside major cities hazardous.

Road conditions

Road conditions in Kenya are generally poor. Daily hazards include inadequate streetlights, excessive speed, unpredictable driving habits, poor vehicle maintenance and a lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles. In May 2007, local media reported that the road from Mombasa to Malaba, Uganda, is so badly potholed that traffic along it is nearly impossible.

When there is a traffic jam at rush hour or because of an accident, drivers sometimes cross the median and move into oncoming traffic.

When on safari or traveling in remote areas, use two vehicles in case of a breakdown or other emergency.

Public transportation

Minibuses, locally called matatus, are a popular form of public transport in Kenya. Though very cheap, they have a very bad accident record, lack insurance coverage and frequently are hijacked by robbers. The hazards of using them increase at night.

There have been many reports of fatal accidents involving long-distance intercity and local buses that often are poorly maintained and may be driven at excessive speed even on dirt roads.

Travel via passenger train also is considered unsafe because of the lack of routine maintenance and safety checks. In recent years, there have been several accidents, including a passenger train derailment between Nairobi and Mombasa that killed 32 people.

Most boats on Lake Victoria are not monitored, and their seaworthiness has been a source of concern for the authorities. In late April 2006, a ferry capsized, killing at least 28 people.

The British Embassy in Nairobi has expressed its concern to the authorities about the inadequate security arrangements in place at Wilson airport in Nairobi. The airport is mainly used for domestic flights, including charters--travelers using this facility should remain vigilant at all times.

In areas where crime on buses, subways or trains is a problem, stay alert at all times. Use only well-lighted, busy bus and subway stops. Try to sit near the driver or conductor, or in a car that contains several other passengers. Keep a good grip on your bag or purse. If you're carrying a cellular phone, keep it secure. Watch to see who gets off at the same time you do--if it's someone you feel is suspicious, go at once to the nearest public place and ask for help.

Air travel

Concerns have been expressed about the lack of security arrangements in place at Wilson airport in Nairobi which is mainly used for domestic flights, including charters. Remain vigilant at all times when transiting airports.

Visitors planning to charter private aircraft should only contract with a company that employs a safety pilot. Confirm the condition of the aircraft and runways to be used before agreeing to a contract.

Tourism is an important part of the Kenyan economy, but the industry has taken a serious decline because of the perception of violence. Facilities for safaris are widely available. The safest course of action is to work with known tour operators and avoid touts offering safari tours.

According to media reports published in May 2007, Kenya may face serious electrical power deficits in September and October 2008 because of major hitches in the deployment of two independent power producers, each of which was projected to provide at least 80MW of power to the national grid before the end of the year.

No matter how safe you perceive a destination to be, it's important to use good judgment.

• Pay attention to local media.
• Avoid open displays of wealth, jewelry or other valuables. Safeguard travel documents such as passports and airline tickets.
• Avoid confrontations with locals.
• Avoid demonstrations and protests, especially if they appear political in nature.
• Don't permit people you don't know to enter your accommodations. Keep your door locked. Don't leave valuables in your room unless they can be locked in a safe.
• Avoid illegal drugs, and don't drink alcohol if its use is prohibited. Even if drinking is legal, don't overindulge.
• Be cautious of unsolicited offers of assistance from strangers.

In recent years, political terrorism has become a global phenomenon - an attack could occur with little warning anywhere in the world, even in destinations long regarded as safe. Travelers should keep themselves informed of developments that could affect their safety, no matter what their destination.