Safety Tips in Kenya

Before our trip to Kenya we did a lot of research about the Yellow Fever Vaccine requirement. We got a lot of conflicting information. If you are coming straight from the U.S. you do not need the YF certificate. We had a connecting flight in Ethiopia which is a YF zone but we were not going to leave the airport, we were not going through immigration so we would not have our passport stamped. It seemed common sense that you wouldn't count that as a visit to the country. We really didn't want to expose our bodies to anything more than we had to. Still nervous about the hassle that we might have in Kenya we called the CDC to see what they had to say. Even they were unsure if in transit flights would be considered as a visit.

Eventually we broke down and just got the YF vaccine. I am thrilled that we did. We were asked for the certificate.

Here is how it went down. There was only one Health Official so depending on when you departed the plane you might or might not be asked. We were near the beginning of the departure process and as we filled out our visa information the health official came up and asked us and others for the cert. She then took those that did not have one back to a room to administer the Yellow Fever Vaccine.

Another couple from our tour had to have a shot there. Though much cheaper than in the U.S. they had the stress of not knowing if the needle was clean,if they were going to be so delayed that the tour left without them, and if they would have side effects on their vacation. The vaccine was completely useless since it takes 10 days to take effect. They told the official that they did not leave the airport in Ethiopia but this did not matter. In Transit counted as entering a YF zone before entering Kenya.

There were others on our trip that while the health official was admin. vaccines slipped through immigration without a YF certificate. It was pretty much luck of the draw. In other words if you have a connecting flight in any YF zone before arriving in Kenya get your Yellow Fever Vaccine before leaving for Kenya.

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There is big difference in strolling around during a day or during a night. The city centre area is very safe during a day but the situation is changing after 11pm. This very busy area, during a day, is completely changed after dark and only few people could be seen walking the streets. I am taking the risk and walk even late in the night but I know the place and bad guys know whom I am and never bothering. Do not take such a risk......

My Taxi driver was due to pick me up from the house to take me to the airport at 3.30am. She was a bit late as she arrived, shaking like a leaf, at my door. Apparently, carjackers had attempted to jack her on Waiyaki Way near Kangeme which is the most dangerous place for this practice. She had to do some creative driving to get back to the Police Station in Nairobi to lodge a complaint and pick up an armed policeman to protect her and drive the car as she was too shaky to drive it herself. On the way to the airport, we had to drive at hair rasing speed to beat the jackers, there were two on our tail, and I needed biological washing powder when we finally got past the check in.

Whatever you do, DON'T travel at night. Get a day flight in both directions.

It cost me 5000Ksh to pay the policeman for his protection.

Call Sgt Chege if you get in trouble, ask for his assistance (it will cost you cash). He is armed and ready to protect you.

Whatever you do, DON'T go with this company. They have an office in Kemu Towers in Nairobi, 16th Floor and the Conman is Mr N J Njorge. His ploy is to get a slip from your credit card as *deposit* for 250,000.00 Ksh. The contract states 100,000.00 Ksh. He will pay it into his personal account and then delay and delay and DELAY paying it back to you. He thinks you have left the country and it will cost you more to come back and reclaim it. He hopes that you will give up and forget about it.

Fortunately, I was still in Kenya and thanks to the magic of email, I was able to learn of this deception and appear at his office demanding the deposit back in cash. If you have any dispute with any conman in Nairobi, first go to the Police Station and ask to see the Chief of Police. You will be shown to the top floor (16th) and see a policeman, in my case the WONDERFUL Sgt Chege and his Constable John. Tell them your problem and get their phone number. They will escort you in the matter of transporting your cash around Nairobi but will expect a payment of around 2000Ksh which is about £20. They will also ensure that you get your money back from this conman. Well worth it if you are trying to get your deposit back.

The other thing is that Kenyan Budget Car Hire (or Wago Wago Safaris) give you substandard vehicles. In our case the exhaust broke twice and the battery failed four times, once in the area that lions were. Bit dicey if you want a pee. They are not like a regular car hire company, they do not have a fleet of well maintained vehicles, nor a rescue service. They borrow the vehicles from private owners who definitely don't maintain them. The spare tyre was bald.

Mr Njorge was astounded that I was still in Nairobi and wanted the money back in cash. DO NOT deal with this company. If you want self drive, go through Bunson Travel which is a reputable company. Also, take pictures of the various knocks and dents in the vehicle as they will try and charge you for repairs for damage you did not cause.

The other thing is that a RAV4 is NOT a 4 wheel drive as we found out when we got stuck in the mud, despite being assured that it was. Don't hire an automatic car, you can't bump start it if the battery goes flat.

I agree with whoever said that Nairobi is insecure and dangerous, but so is NY,Johannesburg and even Los Angeles. Most urban areas are dangerous which is why its important to know exactly where you are going. If possible get someobne that knows the city well to hang out with but not just any random person. A caucasian always stands out in an African city and when you end up in the wrong areas people will think you have lots of money on you and probably attack you. Otherwise Nairobi is one of the most modern cities in Africa and has alot to offer from a national park to a great museum, a reptile park, a variety of awesome night life and so much more. Its like a mini NewYork!

To most likelihood you will have a wonderful holiday in Kenya. however, even paradise has its dark spots, and crime is a reality, especially in big cities like Nairobi and Mombasa. So you should be careful - no night walks at the beach, actually not walking after dark outside the hotel. I know some members here wrote on their pages they felt "furious" about such warnings because it limited their freedom. Well, I live in Nairobi and I know lots of people, both expats and Kenyans, who have been mugged, robbed, carjacked etc. There is a reason for the warnings. Most Kenyans are wonderful people, but some people hope for the fast access to money and tourists are considered rich. Should you ever be unlucky enough to be robbed, don' t resist, don' t fight, just give them your valuables. I know too many cases of people being killed over a camera or some cash to advice any "bravery"

When in Nairobi, there are pick pockets and conmen who are in the streets looking for unsuspecting people to cheat. They talk slowly and very convincingly, you will not think but give them the money they are asking for!! They then trick you to wait for them in a hotel but sadly, they will not come!!
This usually happens in downtown of Nairobi or even the other nice areas. Some of these crooks are eloquent in foreign languages, smartly dressed and have fake business cards!
If you want to do shopping or walk along the streets for a city tour, it is of prime importance to have a guide or someone you can trust.

Well I don't know about danger..I just wasn't sure how to file it, but this is useful information.

This website (Off the Radar) has some medical information posted concerning travel to Kenya as well, such as vaccinations, malaria information, and a hard-to-pronounce, shcistosomiasis (which is a parasitic disease). Might be useful...unless you're already in Kenya right now! Hope you have safe & wonderful travels!

http://www.travelofftheradar.com/2009/04/kenya-and-mexico-tips-from-the-adventure-doc/