Leely

Awful news. I hope there is an end to this violence very soon. My thoughts are with the Kenyan people.

Dr_Andrea

This just posted by US Embassy....

http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/warden_20071231.html

It sounds really bad. The roads were blocked to the airport and all domestic travel is suspended.

star55

Hi y'all,

Given that I am due to arrive in Nairobi on January 5, I have been following this thread and the news for the last two days. Have been in touch with my trip organizer, but appreciate the continuing updates from others in the know.

star55

going_2_africa

We arrive in NBO on the morning of the 7th, but not spending any time in NBO. We have a flight from Wilson to Samburu a few hours after arrival.

Just spoke with my TA, in Kenya, and he said Wilson flights are operating - unless they've cancelled flights to some of the "affected cities."

My main concern is can I get out of NBO to get on with what I'm there for. TA says we don't have to go near city centre, whether going to Wilson, or if we end up having to drive up to Samburu.

I'm good with it. Of course, I wish it wasn't happening at all, but I'M GOING!!!

Safe travels to all

Shane

Nyamera

Yesterday I got an SMS from a Nairobi hotel employee who said all shops were closed and no buses or matatus were running. He had to walk 8 kilometres to his workplace in the <b>city centre</b>. It doesn’t seem like he even considered staying at home. Today things are the same.

Here’s a blogger with updates: http://www.kenyanpundit.com/

The BBC has some background info: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7165962.stm

Nyamera

If I had a trip to Kenya this week I would not cancel, for whatever that’s worth.

Matt_from_England

My Kenyan friend from Nairobi in a New Years message to me this morning said...

&quot;Nairobi seems to be calm now.the stores are beginning to open again and it's almost as if nothing happened.&quot;

&quot;Today is a good day, the public transport system is back up and we're all optimistic about everything.&quot;

Matt

star55

My inclination is the same - to go and get on with what I'm there for. My concern is not being able to get out of the airport! I'm also a little leery at this point about taking the bus from Arusha to NBO at the end of my trip, but I guess there are ways around that.

Happy new year and safe travels to everyone.

Dr_Andrea

Woke up to this email this morning:

We are recommending that U.S. citizens strongly consider the risks of travel to Kenya at this time. The situation is volatile and subject to change. Current reports indicate that there may be a large rally held in Nairobi on January 3rd which would disrupt travel through the city and the situation could be unpredictable.

The latest information will continue to be posted on our website: http://nairobi.usembassy.gov
Travel warning for Kenya: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html

If you decide to travel despite the latest announcement and travel warning, you should register with the U.S. Embassy at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/


Sincerely,

American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy - Nairobi, Kenya

atravelynn

My New Years wishes are for peace and stability in Kenya. Safe travels to those of you planning to visit. Did you see Kennedy's recent written take on all of this?

cybor

Hi Lynn or another knowledgable fodor,
Other than c&amp;p, I'm not sure that I know how to post the link to Kennedy's post.
Can you link it here. I think this valuable info. may be ignored due to the post title.
Thanks ahead
Good luck to all.

Alejandra

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

Alejandra

That was wrong, its this one: Nairobi-Kennedy's report

Nyamera

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35097665

nyama

My thoughts are also with all the TAs who have to bear this, and who certainly thought to spend a more peaceful New Year's Day.

safarimama

I just spoke to Kennedy as he was driving home tonight. He has no fears driving around Nairobi and arrived safely at his home as we spoke. He's been in the countryside with his family celebrating the holidays and he has had many emails from concerned clients to answer at an internet cafe. He's saddened about what has happened in Kenya, but assured me that things seem calmer right now and the rioters are the idle youths between two tribes with nothing better to do. People with jobs want to get to work. Central Nairobi is closed off the the general public to keep it safe, but tour operator vehicles are allowed and the hotels are open. His drivers have no problem getting in and out and all his drivers and clients are safe and have not encountered any problems.

This situation reminds me of when we had the WTO riots in Seattle in early December 1999. The outside world thought that our entire beautiful city was burning etc when in fact it was only a small part that encountered any riots. They had to close off the Freeway (I-5) to clear off the demonstrators and the press picked up only on the bad and turned it into sensationalism etc. Most of the rioters weren't even from Seattle or surroundings!! They were bused in to cause trouble. I live 5 miles from where it happened and was totally unaffected. My husband works downtown and had to walk a few extra blocks to the Federal building where he works due to the demonstrators. You get the picture.

Kennedy was very please to hear from me and to hear what we hear and see on the news. He felt relieved and elated that we care enough over here to call on the phone. I would jump on a plane right now and go if I could and stay at the Stanley, downtown.

Please, ICASH, keep posting what you hear from Kennedy. I told him that you would be the daily poster on Fodor with news from him as it occurs. He promised to report what he sees and to be 100% honest and if there's anything really bad going on that would be reason for us not to travel to Kenya he will say so. Of course, he cannot be held responsible for situations outside his control, only report what he personally sees and hears from his own drivers.
I hope this helps. Pray for a great new year for all Kenyans. They need us not to abadon them now. They are the most friendly people and are in good spirit although saddened by politics. They just want to on with life as usual.

LyndaS

I second what safarimama says wholeheartedly, and thankyou Kristina for making us think of what this is doing to the honest hard working people in Kenya who are counting on us to make a living.

I would not hesitate at this moment to jump on a plane to Nairobi for a a safari, I'll go with Nyamera and Safarimama!

Your story on the riots in Seattle made me think though safarimama - as you know I live 3 hrs away from there and it really wasn't THAT long ago, but I really can't think of what riots they were! Guess they didn't have much of an impact on me, I had to ask Jim what they were!

I do remember the (AGING MYSELF HERE AGAIN!!!) Black Day in July though, the 1967 Detroit riots - I lived across the river in Windsor, the city really was on fire for two days!

divewop

Thanks for the update, safarimama!

I'm haven't changed anything on my itinerary and am going as planned.

In fact, I'm hoping some people will freak out and cancel so space opens at one of the camps I'm wait-listed for! (I know I'm being selfish but what the heck! )

divewop

I'm = I haven't...jeesh!

nyama

A little bit off-topic, but for a more relaxed view of things you should visit www.gadonet.com.