VZCZCXYZ0033
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #2009/01 1291108
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091108Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1551
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 8506

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002009 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA AO KE
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USAID/DCHA GIS 
OFFICER ERIC SAWYER 
 
 
¶1. USAID grants country clearance for USAID/DCHA GIS 
Officer, Eric Sawyer to Nairobi, Kenya o/a May 12-16, 
¶2006. 
 
¶2. The purpose of travel is to provide global 
information systems support in the Horn of Africa.  Mr. 
Sawyer will meet with representatives of the U.N. and 
NGOs to discuss information management. 
 
¶3.  Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the 
Mayfair Hotel.  Hotel telephone number is 254-20- 
374920; facsimile number is 254-20-3742883; and 
reference number is 558484.  A driver from Express 
Travel, the Embassy travel agent will meet you after 
you exit the baggage claim area.  If you do not see the 
driver, inquire at the "Europcar/Express Travel Group" 
counter.  Cost for transport is Dollars 35.00 round 
trip. 
 
¶4.  The USAID switchboard number is 254-20-8622000 and 
after-hour telephone number is 254-20-8562825.  Control 
Officer is George Ombis, tel: 254-20-8622703; mobile 
phone 254-722-205153. 
 
¶5.   Security Assessment 
 
Nairobi is designated a critical crime threat post by 
the Department of State.  The RSO is required to brief 
all TDY visitors staying more than one week, as soon as 
possible after their arrival at post. 
 
-  Street Crime:  There is a high rate of street crime 
in downtown Nairobi, and reports of group attacks and 
muggings are on the rise throughout the country. 
Pickpockets and thieves carry out "snatch and run" 
crimes on city streets and near crowds.  Visitors have 
found it safer not to carry valuables, but rather to 
store them in hotel safety deposit boxes or safe rooms. 
Walking alone or at night downtown is not recommended 
as attacks have taken place on public streets and 
parks.  The RSO recommends leaving all important 
documents (passports, plane tickets, etc.) in a hotel 
safe and not wearing any jewelry on the street.  In 
addition, visitors should avoid hanging a camera around 
their necks, carrying a protruding wallet, and carrying 
or showing large amounts of money in public. 
 
-  Road Safety/Automobile Travel:  While traveling in 
vehicles, doors should be kept locked and windows 
rolled up.  Carjackings are common in Nairobi and 
diplomatic vehicles and personnel are not immune to 
these attacks by armed thieves.  Highway bandits are 
active on roads leading to the border areas.  Accidents 
are also frequent.  Use of seat belts is mandatory. 
 
-  The Government of Kenya (and the Mission firearms 
policy) prohibit the importing and carrying of firearms 
except for U.S. law enforcement officers engaged in 
protective security or investigative duties. 
 
¶6.  Climate:  Weather conditions in Nairobi are sunny 
and mild year-round with daily temperatures ranging 
between 50 and 80 degrees fahrenheit.  In April and 
May, it rains frequently and daytime temperatures are 
lower.  From June through September, dry, but often 
cloudy weather persists with cool nights.  From October 
through November there is occasional rain, but most 
days are sunny and warm. 
 
¶7.  Health:  Due to the high altitude, Nairobi is not a 
malarial area and malaria prophylaxis is not needed; 
but the risk of malaria outside Nairobi is significant. 
Therefore, if you are planning to travel outside 
Nairobi, particularly to areas below 3,500 feet 
elevation, it is advisable to begin using oral malarial 
medication before arrival and for four (4) weeks 
following departure.  In addition, every effort should 
be made to use insect repellents, proper clothing, and 
barriers which discourage/prevent mosquito bites. 
Travelers should also carry immunization records with 
valid yellow fever immunization as well as being 
current with other inoculations.  Embassy Nairobi 
medical unit advises that local tap water is not 
potable.  Bottled water is safe to drink and can be 
purchased in local hotels, restaurants and grocery 
stores. 
 
¶8.   Internal Travel:  Travel via passenger train in 
Kenya is unsafe, particularly during the rainy seasons. 
The trains and tracks lack routine maintenance and 
 
safety checks.  Likewise, public ground transportation 
in Kenya, particularly after dark, should be avoided 
for safety and security reasons.  Good bush vehicles 
(4-wheel drive), as well as normal rental cars (with or 
without drivers) are available, but must be paid for in 
cash or with a charge card.  Travel by road is right- 
hand drive.  It is inadvisable to travel at night 
outside well-traveled areas due to the lack of 
lighting, road signs, and warning signals on broken 
down vehicles.  Many drivers exercise poor judgment and 
drive too fast.  Traffic accidents are common.  Use of 
seat belts is mandatory. 
 
¶9.  General:  TDY membership in the American Employees 
Association (AEA) is available for five U.S. Dollars 
per week or one Dollar per day.  The AEA morale store 
offers a limited supply of liquor, soda, beer, snacks, 
Embassy souvenirs, and Kenyan crafts.  All products are 
sold in U.S. Dollars.  Cash and travelers checks are 
acceptable; no personal checks are acceptable. 
Accommodation exchange facilities are available upon 
presentation of a copy of official TDY orders.  The 
current exchange rate is approximately 72 Kenya 
Shillings (KSH) to the U.S. Dollar.  TDY personnel 
wishing to use the APO are required to present a copy 
of their TDY/leave orders to the APO Supervisor. 
Military members must also produce a valid ID card. 
 
¶10.  Entry Requirements:  A visa is required.  This 
applies to U.S. citizens arriving for any purpose and 
regardless of type of passport.  Travelers may obtain a 
visa in advance at a Kenyan Embassy or Consulate. 
Alternatively, a visa can be obtained at the airport 
for a voucherable charge of 50 U.S. Dollars, but lines 
may be long and processing time slow.  Evidence of 
yellow fever immunization may be requested upon entry 
to Kenya. 
 
¶11.  Departure:  Each person departing Kenya 
(regardless of age or type of passport) must pay a 40 
U.S. Dollar departure tax payable in Kenya Shillings or 
U.S. Dollars, unless it has been included in the price 
of your ticket.  Further, there is a 200 Kenya 
Shillings departure tax imposed on all domestic 
flights.  BELLAMY