Is it safe for me to travel to Kenya for Worlds? Where Should I go?

There is a bank in Nairobi where you can deposit ransom money, just in case something happens. If you don't use it, you get it back, less 1%.

I laughed at this, but then wondered, "Is it true?"

Weldon,

I think you will be safe anywhere in the world if you wear a t-shirt that says that you're a friend of George Bush.

take a shotgun wejo

Travel Warning

United States Department of State

Bureau of Consular Affairs

Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Sat Feb 17 2007 19:45:17 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time).

KENYA

February 06, 2007

This Travel Warning is being issued to remind American citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to Kenya at this time due to ongoing safety and security concerns. This supersedes the Travel Warning of August 10, 2006.

The Department continues to recommend that private American citizens in Kenya evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing terrorist threats and increasing incidents of violent crime. Terrorist acts may include suicide operations, bombings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. Violent criminal attacks, including armed carjacking and home invasions/burglary, can occur at any time and in any location, and are becoming increasingly frequent, brazen, vicious, and often fatal. In January 2007, two family members of a U.S. Embassy employee were killed by armed carjackers. Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate such acts.

U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate and random attacks on civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites and locations where foreigners are known to congregate, as well as commercial operations associated with U.S. or other foreign interests.

American citizens in Kenya should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. Americans should also remain vigilant in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds.

Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website,

https://travelregistration.state.gov

. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254) (20) 363-6000; fax (254) (20) 363-6410. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254) (20) 363-6170. The Embassy home page is

http://kenya.usembassy.gov

.

Updated information on travel and security in Kenya may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Kenya, the East Africa Public Announcement, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at

http://travel.state.gov

.

Stay home, not because of security concern, but because you would provide little added value for race fans. Unless of course, you are going to the whore houses in Kenya, or want to go to the game preserves for a safari. The best thing for your site is to link to the IAAF website and newspaper websites. Runners World, Track and Field News, Track Shark, and other websites who lack the personnel and expertise, hot link to the professionals for accurate journalism.

Yanqui wrote:

A lot of what's required for the trip - especially the vaccinations- and the climate they're about to find at the other end - are liable to wreak havoc with an elite runner's training and racing plans.

A couple of shots, straightforward travel arrangements, and weather that's *not actually that scorching, guys*. WREAK HAVOC? Imagine if these guys had to face REAL adversity -- they might even have to become adaptable human beings mentally tough athletes capable of competing on the world stage. Which, sorry, they're not now.

Think about the culture shock for every Kenyan who leaves there for the first time to race the road circuits of the states, Japan or Italy, etc. And do you think their veterans will be staying home from worlds in Scotland because it's too cold?

I hope people will stop trying to generalize this as America-bashing. America: super place, lots of super people. Americans who won't go to what is basically a resort town (it is where they'll be kept, anyway) to race the world's best: pathetic.

stupid letsrunners wrote:

I hope people will stop trying to generalize this as America-bashing. America: super place, lots of super people. Americans who won't go to what is basically a resort town (it is where they'll be kept, anyway) to race the world's best: pathetic.

Don't worry, I'm American and I think it's pathetic as well.

Just got back from a couple of weeks vacation in Kenya.

There are a lot of very violent carjackings taking place at the moment, with accompanying sensationalist headlines in the press, but you will be safe at the coast and there will be a lot of extra security during the championship.

You should be OK upcountry (around Iten) as well...just take the typical precautions that you would when travelling in an unfamiliar environment.

Went at Christmas, to visit the in-laws, and aside from daily rain and traffic in Nairobi, had no problems at all. Don't know what your plans/arrangements look like, but here are a few things I'd suggest.

For cheap, adequate housing in Nairobi, try the Downtown or Terminal Hotels on Moktar Daddah St. A room at either place, clean & with a good hot shower, will run you around $20. Located just across the street from the Nakumatt Lifestyle shopping center - bascially a smallish mall with large supermarket, sporting goods store, food court, etc. Also within easy walking distance of excellent restaurants, shopping, city market (souvenir stalls), banks w/ ATM's etc.

For $$ I would NOT suggest taking much cash or any travelers' checks. I used my ATM card frequently while I was there and had zero problems. I'm with BofA, and I used Barclay's Bank ATM's with no service charge assessed by either Barclay's or BofA. Both Standard Chartered and Kenya Commercial Bank charged resulted in $5 service charges, so I stuck with Barclays when possible. In some small towns (like Iten), only KCB is available.

For travel from Nairobi, to Eldoret, I'd say fly if $$ isn't a problem. I always had several of my wife's relatives in tow, so we took the bus, but I'd have flown if alone. Flights are out of Wilson airport, not Kenyatta. Google "AeroKenya" to get in touch with the airline.

In Eldoret, I stayed at the White Castle hotle a couple of times. Paid around $20 for a double - big rooms, clean, carpeted & hot showers. No TV's in rooms, but TV room in the hotel in case you need that. If you want to spend more, there are Sirikwa and Klique hotels. I looked at the Klique when I was there & it looked OK. About $50 for a double - brand new hotel, so still very clean and nice. Excellent bar/pub onsite, though I was troubled to find people watching Martha Stewart when I was in there.

Definitely try to spend a few days at Lornah's camp if you can. Outstanding place to get in some running or just relax.

Anyway, drop me an e-mail if you want specifics on anything - can also point you towards some trustworthy individuals who can interpret/guide for you if needed.

Mzungu

What internet access is available in the country and what are the fees?

It available everywhere and is cheap......but slow. No broadband

I think generalising about 'Kenya' is the same as generalising about 'the USA'. There are places in both that aren't safe and are not a good idea to go to, and there is the reverse.

I traveled to Kenya last July with 10 others.

We had the time of our lives!

Felt completely safe.

I plan to go back this July.

Can't say Nairobi is safe, but generally Kenia is a great touristic destination and most of touristic routes are really safe and cool. I've been to Kenia and Tanzania twice, I've got best impressions only and hope to come back one day, again. Here are some good travel guide apps by the way, highly recommend not to neglect services like these https://travelsites.com/travel-guides-apps/ .

For a lot of Europeans might ask the same questions about going to the USA.

Regarding State Department travel warnings: Kenya is at "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" which is the same level as Britain, Denmark, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and Antarctica!!! amongst others

Apparently Antarctica makes the list due to, "Environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather." and "The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Antarctica as the U.S government does not have an embassy or consulate in Antarctica."

I can't help thinking this is a reflection of the State Department's estimate of the intelligence of the average American tourist.

When in a hotel's gym, don't assume someone is following you just because they are in the vicinity. In particular, if don't kick married athletes in the neck.

It’s not Kenya, but I was in Ethiopia recently and had my watch and money I was going to use to by drugs stolen out of my hotel room.