- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Kenya
When travelling to Kenya, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Kenya.
| Kenya overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 06 December 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Kisumu and the Nairobi suburbs of Kibera, Mathare, Kasirani and Eastleigh | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Border regions with Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Summary and Safety and Security: Crime (kidnappings). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
[top]Summary
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Kenya at this time due to the high risk of terrorist attack, civil unrest and high crime levels. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- We strongly advise you not to travel to the border regions with Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Cross border violence occurs, including kidnapping, armed banditry, and violent tribal and clan disputes. Kenya's border with Somalia is closed due to increased instability in Somalia. On 5 November, two westerners were kidnapped on the Kenyan side of the Somali border and taken into Somalia.
- Australians in Kenya should be aware that the travel advice for Somalia strongly recommends Australians Do Not Travel to Somalia, due to the high risk of kidnapping, terrorism and violence. See also Somalia travel advice.
- We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in Kenya, such as places frequented by foreigners including Australians. Foreign embassies, hotels and commercial airlines in Kenya have been targeted by terrorists in the past and remain potential targets. Australian High Commission staff have been advised to avoid this locality. See Safety and Security: Terrorism for details.
- Due to heightened security concerns, staff at the Australian High Commission in Nairobi have been advised to exercise greater vigilance and security measures have been increased.
- Following two months of widespread election-related violence, a power sharing agreement was signed between President Mwai Kibaki and leader of the Orange Democratic Movement Raila Odinga on 28 February 2008. The agreement is expected to lower the level of civil unrest, but the potential for violence remains.
- Since early April 2008, cult members of the Mungiki sect have caused violent riots and erected illegal road blocks in Nairobi, Nakuru, Naivaisha, Limuru and Eldoret. See Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension for details.
- Violent crime against Westerners, including armed carjacking and home invasions, occurs frequently in and around Nairobi.
- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Kisumu in Nyanza province and the Nairobi suburbs of Kibera, Mathare, Kasirani and Eastleigh due to high crime levels.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
