From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Kenya Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1997 13:26:52 GMT Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1467 Path: world!eliz Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199709150930_MC2-207F-E054@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: eliz@world.std.com (daemons) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 207 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Kenya ============================================================ Kenya - Public Announcement September 12, 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman The Department of State recommends that American citizens avoid unnecessary travel to the following districts in the coast province of Kenya: Mombasa, Kwale, Kilife, and Malindi. Since August 13, there have been a series of attacks by armed raiders on public and private buildings in Mombasa and a number of towns and cities along the coast. The attacks appear ethnically based and meant to frighten Kenyans not indigenous to the coast into leaving the area. So far, over 50 persons, including at least 10 police officers, have been killed in the violence, which has triggered an exodus of thousands of residents from the Mombasa area. Residents and visitors in the districts of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Malindi are urged to take the highest security precautions. Unnecessary travel to these areas should be avoided until the situation has stabilized. All American citizens in Kenya are strongly encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy located at Moi and Haile Selassie Avenues, Nairobi, Kenya. For updated information, Americans should contact the consular section at telephone (254) (2) 33-41-41 or facsimile (254) (2) 34-08-38. For further information on travel to the country of Kenya, consult the Department's latest consular information sheet and the public announcement on Kenya dated July 15, 1997, related to the possibility of pre-election violence. This replaces the public announcement on violence at Kenya's coast dated August 18, 1997. This public announcement will expire on December 29, 1997. Kenya - Public Announcement July 15, 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman National elections in Kenya are expected to be held by the end of 1997 or early 1998. There has been violence in connection with recent political rallies and demonstrations in Nairobi and several other cities in Kenya. As the elections draw nearer, these rallies and demonstrations are likely to become more frequent and the potential for violence will continue. Americans who plan to visit Kenya are urged to take basic security precautions to maximize their safety. Travelers should follow the print and electronic media to keep abreast of where and when such rallies and demonstrations are likely to occur and of the potential for confrontation. Rally and demonstration sites should be avoided. American citizens in Kenya are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and to obtain updated information on the security situation. Americans can register in person, by telephone, or by fax. The Embassy is located at the intersection of Moi and Haile Selassie Avenues. Due to the proximity of the Embassy to some of the areas where the confrontations have taken place, travelers may wish to contact the Consular Section by telephone at (254-2) 33-41-41 or fax (254-2) 34-08-38 before proceeding to that location. For further information on travel to Kenya, consult the Department's latest Consular Information Sheet for Kenya. This Public Announcement expires January 31, 1998. Kenya - Consular Information Sheet July 10, 1997 Country Description: Kenya is a developing east African country. Tourist facilities are widely available in Nairobi, on the coast, and in the game parks and reserves. Entry Requirements: Entry information (and information about departure tax) may be obtained from the Embassy of Kenya, 2249 R Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 387-6101, or consulates general in Los Angeles and New York City. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate. Areas of Instability: Kenya is in a political transition period, from a single-party democracy to a multi-party democracy. From time to time, political or ethnic tensions associated with this transition increase -- resulting in localized areas of civil disorder. As Kenya nears general elections, which are expected to be held in late 1997 or early 1998, the frequency of such incidents is likely to increase. Visitors should avoid all areas where demonstrations, rallies, and other political protests are taking place. Medical Facilities: Adequate medical services are available in Nairobi. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for the payment of medical services outside the United States. Supplemental insurance with specific overseas coverage, including air evacuations, has proven useful. Information on other health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559, Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/. Information on Crime: There is a high rate of street crime against tourists in downtown Nairobi, Mombasa and at coastal beach resorts. During periods when police are occupied due to civil unrest related to political tensions, there may be an increase in street crime and banditry. Reports of attacks against tourists by groups of two or more armed assailants continue; pickpockets and thieves also carry out "snatch and run" crimes near crowds. Visitors have found it safer not to carry valuables with them, but to store all valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes or safe rooms. There have been reports of thieves snatching jewelry and other objects from open vehicle windows while motorists are either stopped at a traffic light or in heavy traffic. Armed carjackings are increasingly common in Nairobi, with some ten vehicles stolen by armed robbers each day. There is also a high incidence of residential break-ins. Thieves and con men have been known to impersonate hotel employees, police officers or government officials. Tourists who accept candy, biscuits, or juice from new acquaintances on intercity buses have been robbed after being drugged by food laced with sedatives. Highway banditry is common in much of North Eastern Province, significant portions of Eastern Province, and the northern part of Rift Valley Province -- areas that are remote and largely unpopulated. Air travel is the safest means of transportation when visiting any of the coastal resorts north of Malindi. Walking alone or at night in public parks, along footpaths or beaches and in poorly lit areas can be dangerous. The Kenyan mail system can be unreliable, and monetary instruments (credit cards, checks, etc.) are frequently stolen. International couriers such as Federal Express or DHL have proven to be the safest means of shipping envelopes and packages. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Road Safety: Excessive speed, unpredictable local driving habits, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards on Kenyan roads. In addition, vehicle travel outside major cities at night should be avoided due to the poor condition of the roads and the threat of banditry. Currency Regulations: Up to 100,000 Kenyan shillings may be taken out of the country. Destruction of Kenyan currency, even in small amounts, is illegal, and almost always results in arrest and a fine. Game Park Security: In response to increased banditry and incidents of robbery in or near many of Kenya's national parks and game reserves, the Kenya Wildlife Service and police took steps in late 1996 to strengthen security in the affected areas. Highway banditry, however, does still occur. Travelers who do not use the services of reputable travel firms or knowledgeable guides or drivers are especially at risk. Safaris are best undertaken with a minimum of two vehicles so that there is a backup in case of mechanical failure or other emergency. Solo camping is always risky. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. The penalty for possession of illegal drugs, including marijuana, is 10 years imprisonment, with no option of fine. The penalty for purchasing or selling illegal drugs, including marijuana, is 20 years imprisonment, with no option of fine. Other Information: Water in Nairobi is potable. In other parts of the country, water must be boiled or bottled water is used. Travel by passenger train may be unsafe, particularly during the rainy season, because of the lack of routine maintenance and safety checks. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and may obtain updated information on travel and security in Kenya. The U.S. Embassy is located at the intersection of Moi and Haile Selassie Avenues in Nairobi; the telephone number is (254-2) 334141. The international mailing address is P.O. BOX 30137 Nairobi, Kenya. Mail using domestic postage may be addressed to Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831. No. 97-116 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 24, 1997 to update the information on crime, areas of instability, and road safety. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories