Safety in Kenya
 

With the shootings this week in Nairobi, and the political violence of 2007/08, and the continued threats against Kikuyus in the rift valley, is it safe for tourists to travel in Kenya?

Don't know where you're from, but how many shooting were there in/near your home town/city? I'm sure there's an article about this in the paper daily, unfornately. Why would a few shootings in Nairobi be different then most any other destination? If there are guns out there somewhere, people will shoot other people!

As to the upheaval after the elections in '08 when tourists were neither targetted nor harmed, there's no reason not to travel to Kenya. Visitors did then in Jan-Mar '08 and continue to do so.

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1151.html

There is moderate risk for me and a new Terrorism Caution

renewed effective from 12/10.

Still overall safe if careful for savy travelers for me

especially in tourist areas in a good group like

www.porini.com still www.insuremytrip.com always wise for me.

Happy Journey,

Violence against tourists has historically been extremely rare in Kenya. As sandi says, even during the huge disturbances of the post-election violence in early 2008 not a single incident was a recorded against a tourist, and although many went home, locals appreciated the fact that some stayed, mostly on the coast, and had a really good time. As for last week's police atrocity in Nairobi, it's a disgraceful fact that such police shootings happen all the time in Kenya, especially in the cities, but are rarely witnessed by visitors. This time the murders were photographed and seen all round the world and the pressure is on for some big changes in the police force – apart from the abhorrence of the crime itself, the sheer idiocy of their police force gunning down suspects rather than arresting and questioning them, is a huge embarrassment for Kenya's government and diplomats. Ironically, such is the insulation of tourists from life on the street, that you won't be in any way affected. The issue of anti-Kikuyu sentiment in Rift Valley province, again, doesn't have any impact on visitors.

Hope that reassures you somewhat.

Richard

I returned a couple of months ago and it is only finances that prevents me from having a return trip in the works. I will avoid election time, though.

If you are planning a trip to Kenya, I would not alter plans.

I've only just returned from Nairobi and it didn't feel any safer or unsafer (sp) than any other big city I've visited. In fact it felt much safer than my last visits. Like Atravelynn, it is only finances which keep me away.