TRAVEL WARNING: KENYA (Jan 14, 2013)

1. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of
the risks of travel to Kenya.  U.S. citizens in Kenya,
and those considering travel to Kenya, should evaluate
their personal security situation in light of continuing
and recently heightened threats from terrorism and the
high rate of violent crime in some areas. The levels of
risk vary throughout the country.  The Embassy will
continue to monitor the security situation and provide
updates.  This replaces the Travel Warning of July 3,
2012, to update information about the current security
situation.

2. The U.S. government continues to receive information
about potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western,
and Kenyan interests in Kenya.  Terrorist acts can
include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings,
attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime
vessels in or near Kenyan ports.  Although the pursuit of
those responsible for previous terrorist activities
continues, many of those involved remain at large and
still operate in the region.  Travelers should consult
the Worldwide Caution for further information and
details.

3. Kenya initiated military action against al-Shabaab by
crossing into Somalia on October 16, 2011, and, on June
2, 2012, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
whereby it formally joined the African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM).  Kenyan troops within AMISOM are now
actively pursuing al-Shabaab in southeastern Somalia.  In
response to the Kenyan intervention, al-Shabaab and its
sympathizers have conducted retaliatory attacks against
civilian and government targets in Kenya.

4. In the past year, there have been over 30 attacks
involving grenades or explosive devices in Kenya. At
least 76 people died in these attacks, and around 220
people were injured.  There were no U.S. citizens among
the casualties. Ten of these attacks occurred in North
Eastern Province, mainly in Dadaab, Wajir, and Garissa.
Four attacks occurred in Mombasa. Six grenade and
improvised explosive device (IED) attacks have occurred
in Nairobi, illustrating an increase in the number of
attacks and an advance in the sophistication of attacks.
Targets included police stations and police vehicles,
nightclubs and bars, churches, a mosque, a religious
gathering, a downtown building of small shops, and a bus
station.  One of the deadliest attacks occurred in
Nairobi on November 18, 2012, when an IED detonated on a
passenger bus in Eastleigh, killing ten.  The most fatal
attack in Kenya this past year occurred on July 1, 2012,
with two simultaneous assaults on churches in Garissa.
In this attack, 17 people were killed and about 50 people
were injured.  Additionally, Kenyan law enforcement has
disrupted several terrorist plots, which resulted in the
discoveries of weapons caches and other dangerous
materials, and the arrests of several individuals.

5. Multiple kidnappings of Westerners have occurred in
Kenya.  In September 2011, a British woman was kidnapped
and her husband murdered at a coastal resort near the
Kenya-Somali border.  The British hostage was released in
March 2012 after payment of ransom.  In October 2011, a
French national was kidnapped from a private residence on
the popular tourist destination of Lamu Island on Kenya's
north coast.  She died while in captivity in Somalia.
Also in October 2011, two Spanish nationals working for a
NGO were kidnapped in a Dadaab refugee camp, in
northeastern Kenya.  They are still being held.  On June
29, 2012, four international aid workers (from Canada,
Pakistan, Norway, and the Philippines) were kidnapped in
Dadaab.  All were rescued on July 1, 2012.

6. In response to the security threats within Kenya posed
by violent extremists, including al-Shabaab, the
Government of Kenya announced on December 13, 2012 that
all urban refugees (primarily Somalis) should relocate to
refugee camps.  The Kenyan government is currently
conducting sweeps at checkpoints and in predominantly
Somali-inhabited areas of Kenya searching for proof of
status in Kenya and sending those who are refugees to
camps.  U.S. citizens of Somali descent should be aware
that they may encounter interruptions in their travel due
to these directives.  It is very important to carry proof
of identity and legal status in Kenya (i.e., valid visa).
If you are detained by police or immigration officials,
you should request to speak to someone from the Consular
Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

7. As a result of these recent events and threats, U.S.
government employees, contractors, grantees, and their
dependents are prohibited from traveling to the North
Eastern Province, including the cities of El Wak, Wajir,
Garissa, Dadaab, Mandera, and Liboi.  Although the U.S.
government travel restriction for Lamu has been lifted,
U.S. citizens should consider ongoing security concerns
following recent events involving U.S. citizens in Lamu,
including a sexual assault and threatened kidnapping.
U.S. government personnel are restricted from traveling
to the coastal area north of Pate Island, including
Kiwayu and north to Kiunga on the Kenya/Somalia border.

8. Although these restrictions do not apply to travelers
not associated with the U.S. government, U.S. citizens
already in Kenya should take these restrictions into
account when planning travel.  The Embassy regularly
reviews the security of these areas for possible
modification.

9. Clashes occasionally occur in and around Isiolo and
Moyale, both in Eastern province, and in 2012 there were
numerous instances of sporadic violence and protests
elsewhere in the country.  Rioting occurred in Mombasa
shortly after a local Muslim cleric with alleged ties to
al-Shabaab was killed in a drive-by shooting, resulting
in the deaths of three policemen and four church
burnings. Demonstrations in Kisumu (Western Kenya)
following the murder of two prominent Kenyan citizens in
October 2012 turned violent, leaving at least four
protestors dead.  More than 160 people have been killed
in recent clashes between two communities in Tana River
County, in Kenya's Coast Province.  While this violence
is not directed at foreigners, protests and ethnic
clashes are unpredictable.  U.S. citizens are advised to
check conditions and monitor local media reports before
traveling to these areas.

10. Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks,
including armed carjackings, grenade attacks, home
invasions and burglaries, and kidnappings can occur at
any time and in any location, particularly in Nairobi.
U.S. citizens, including U.S. Embassy employees, have
been victims of such crimes within the past year.

11. U.S. citizens in Kenya should be extremely vigilant
with regard to their personal security, particularly in
crowded public places such as clubs, hotels, resorts,
shopping centers, restaurants, bus stations, and places
of worship.  U.S. citizens should also remain alert in
residential areas, at schools, and at outdoor
recreational events.  U.S. citizens should use
commonsense precautions at all times, to include the
following practices:  avoid crowded transportation
venues; visit only legitimate businesses and tourist
areas only during daylight hours; use well-marked taxis
and be sure to lock vehicle doors and keep windows up;
lock all lodging doors and windows; carry minimal amounts
of cash and credit cards; do not wear jewelry which
attracts undue attention; know emergency phone numbers;
do not resist or antagonize armed criminals; and always
be aware of your surroundings.  These measures can help
ensure your travel to Kenya is safe and enjoyable.

12. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations, political
rallies of all kinds, and voter polling places,
particularly in the lead up to Kenya's political
primaries on January 17 and 18, 2013, general elections
on March 4, and during a possible presidential run-off
election to occur no later than April 18..  Kenya's last
national election, in December 2007, resulted in
widespread unrest and violence.  Isolated instances of
suspected political violence have already occurred in
some regions of the country.  U.S. citizens considering
travel to Kenya during the election period should
consider the possibility of civil disturbances, and
disruptions of transportation and/or communication
systems.

13. U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Kenya are
urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
(STEP) in order to receive the most up-to-date security
information.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier
for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly
with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

14. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi 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) 363-6000.  Travelers may also
consult the U.S. Embassy Nairobi website for more
information.

15. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of
State's Country Specific Information for Kenya, the
Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts,
which are all available on the U.S. Department of
State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website.  Travelers
may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions
by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States
and Canada, or on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444
from other countries. Stay up to date by bookmarking our
Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains
current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts.  Follow us on
Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on
Facebook, and download our Smart Traveler app, available
through iTunes and the Android market, to have travel
information at your fingertips.