Kenya

The emergency services may be unresponsive and unreliable. Go to the nearest police station or hospital if faced with an emergency.

There is a high incidence of crime throughout most of Kenya, especially at coastal beach resorts, and in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. Travellers should remain aware of their surroundings at all times, avoid venturing away from tourist areas, and refrain from travelling after dark.

Petty crime occurs often in major towns and in coastal beach resorts. Thieves may impersonate police officers, hotel employees, and government officials. Travellers should ask for identification if approached. Always keep personal belongings in a safe, and always keep doors locked. Avoid wearing expensive clothing and jewelry. Credit cards and cheques are often stolen.

Violent crime has been occurring more frequently in Nairobi, including carjackings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and burglaries. These crimes usually increase around the Christmas holidays.

Carjackings often occur when traveling to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Nairobi. Travellers should use transportation organized by tour companies or well-marked taxis when arriving at JKIA. Do not exchange currency in the public areas of the airport. Store valuables in locked suitcases and carry-on luggage as items are often stolen out of checked luggage.

Although main road conditions are good, road travel may be dangerous due to poor road conditions, poorly maintained vehicles and reckless driving. Exercise extreme caution in rural areas where roads may be unpaved and unlit at night. Avoid travelling after dark. During the rainy season, some roads may be impassable due to flooding. There have been reports of cars being attacked while travelling in game parks and reserves and on main roads to bordering countries.

Avoid using public transportation, including ferries, due to poor safety standards.

Women travelling on their own should be highly vigilant due to the high incidence of sexual assaults, including those against foreigners.

Foreigners considering volunteer work in Kenya should ensure the non-governmental organization they plan to work with is legitimate. Volunteers in Kenya are sometimes mistreated and stranded by illegitimate NGOs.

Always carry a copy of your passport and visa when travelling in Kenya. You may be asked for identification by police officers.

It is illegal to use or import plastic bags and offenders can face fines. Smoking in public places is also illegal. Do not take photos of military or government installations and airports.

All travelers to Kenya are advised to dress and behave conservatively, especially in the coastal region where there is a very large Muslim population. Travellers should take note of whether they will be travelling during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. During this time, respect the religious practices of the country and avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset.

The rainy seasons in Kenya are between October-November and late March-mid June. Flooding, landslides, major damage to infrastructure and disruption to travel plans may result. Severe droughts may also occur in Kenya. Monitor local weather reports closely and stay informed of local evacuation plans.

LGBTI travellers should note that same-sex behaviours and same-sex marriage are illegal in Kenya, and LGBTI people face severe social discrimination.

In August 2019 seven people visiting Hell's Gate National Park were trapped and died in one of the gorges when flash flooding swept through the area. The gorges are prone to flooding. The Kenya Wildlife Service stated tourists are usually accompanied by experienced guides trained to detect storm water flowing down towards the gorge. Ensure you have an experienced guide, and consider avoiding this area during the rainy season.

Avoid travelling to areas bordering Somalia, including Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, and Lamu, due to a high risk of kidnapping and extreme violence. The border with Somalia is closed but gang violence, ethnic disputes, military, and police presence and frequent roadblocks make this region unsafe.

Avoid travelling to areas bordering Sudan and Ethiopia due to a high risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and violence.

Avoid travelling to Mombasa, Tana River and the coastal areas of Kilifi due to the high risk of violence and terrorism.

Exercise extreme caution in the Eastleigh neighbourhood of Nairobi due to a very high crime rate.

Violence is regularly reported from the Mount Elgon area of western Kenya due to armed conflict.

There is an increased and ongoing risk of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and crime throughout Kenya, including Nairobi and the resort areas around Mombasa and Malindi, the towns of Narok, Naivasha, Nanyuki, and Meru. Terrorist attacks and kidnappings could target foreign travellers and areas frequented by foreigners, including restaurants and bars, hotels, markets, and shopping areas, transportation, and religious sites. Aid workers should ensure there are adequate security plans in place. Be highly vigilant and cautious at all times. Multiple kidnappings of Westerners have occurred in Kenya.

Civil unrest, confrontations and attacks over ethnicity, land ownership and access to water can occur in rural regions of Kenya, such as Massai territory and the Eastern and Central province and in northern Kenya during severe droughts.

Demonstrations and political gatherings sometimes occur. These should be avoided as they can turn violent with little warning.