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Viewing cable 06NAIROBI2203, COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MARIE-CLAIRE SOW

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06NAIROBI2203 2006-05-19 07:28 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Nairobi
VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #2203/01 1390728
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 190728Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 1386
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002203 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MARIE-CLAIRE SOW 
 
Ref: Email May 17th 2006 
 
1.   USAID grants country clearance for the visit of 
Marie-Claire Sow, Senior  Acquisition & Assistance 
Specialist from May 24th to 26th, 2006 to perform 
Acquisition and Assistance services for USAID/Uganda. 
USAID switchboard number is 254-2-8622000 and after- 
hour telephone number is 254-2-856-2825. Control 
officer is Mr. Michael Rossman, telephone number 
extension 2318 and home phone 254-20-581-480. 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 20 U.S. 
dollars per round trip. 
 
2. Security Assessment 
 
      Nairobi is designated a critical 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.  Carjacking is 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. 
 
     Firearms:  The Government of Kenya (and the 
mission firearms policy) prohibits the importing and 
carrying of firearms except for U.S. law enforcement 
officers engaged in protective security or 
investigative duties. 
 
3.   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. 
 
4.   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 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.  The embassy 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. 
 
5.   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 
(four-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 
 
NAIROBI 00002203  002 OF 002 
 
 
seat belts is mandatory. 
 
6.   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 78 Kenya 
shillings 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. 
 
7.Entry requirements:  A visa to enter Kenya is 
mandatory. 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. Important- Passports must be valid or at least 6 
months from date of arrival. Other nationalities need 
to check with Mission or the Kenyan Embassy regarding 
requirements.  Evidence of yellow fever immunization is 
usually requested upon entry to Kenya. 
 
8.   Departure:  Each person departing Kenya 
(regardless of age or type of passport) must pay a 20 
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 300 Kenya shilling 
departure tax imposed on all domestic flights. 
 
BELLAMY