VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #1622/01 1030722
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130722Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0090
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8932

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001622 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: OTRA AO KE
SUBJECT:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CHANTAL 
NINTERETSE, USAID/OFDA PROGRAM ASSISTANT 
 
¶1.  Embassy grants country clearance to Kenya for 
the visit of USAID/OFDA Program Assistant, Chantal 
Ninteretse from o/a April 21 - 29, 2007 to consult 
on humanitarian issues with the OFDA regional 
office and consult on administrative issues with 
the OFDA Administrative Officer. 
 
¶2.  Country clearance is granted subject to the actual 
security situation at the time of proposed travel.  Per 
reftel.  The embassy switchboard number is 254-20-363- 
6000 and the after-hours number is 254-20-363-6170. 
Control officer is Jack Myer, Office telephone 254-20- 
8622000 ext: 2711; and cell phone 254-722-510540. 
 
¶3.  Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the 
Mayfair Hotel at a cost of U.S.Dollars 149.00 inclusive 
of taxes.  The hotel telephone number is 254-20- 
3740920, hotel facsimile number is 254-20-3748823, 
under reference number: 602076.  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 40.00 round 
trip. 
 
¶4.  ICASS TDY charges:  Each visitor, regardless of 
length of stay, must bring/forward fiscal data to pay 
for direct costs of the visit.  Each agency, 
organization or visiting delegation will be charged for 
the actual costs attributed to its visit.  Direct 
charge costs include, but are not limited to:  airport 
transportation, accommodations, American and LES staff 
overtime (for such services as airport expediting, 
control room staffing, cashier services, drivers), long 
distance telephone calls, cell phone rentals and cost 
of actual calls, travel and per diem costs for American 
or LES staff who accompany the TDY employee on field 
travel, rental of vehicles and equipment, gasoline and 
other vehicle maintenance costs, office supplies, cost 
of goods procured, departure tax and other airport 
fees.  Post will not provide service if fiscal data is 
not provided for the direct charges. 
 
¶5.  For TDYers remaining at post over 30 days, there is 
a charge for ICASS support services.  This charge is 
for the following ICASS services:  Basic Package, CLO 
and Health Services.  The charge per month is 
approximately $353.  Agencies will not be billed until 
the accumulated invoice cost for TDY support exceeds 
U.S. Dollars 2,500 for the fiscal year.  If your 
sponsoring agency is not signed up for ICASS services 
at post, please be prepared to sign a Memorandum of 
Understanding for ICASS support services upon arrival. 
 
¶6.  The agency should provide post with a written 
communication, generated by the traveler?s 
headquarters, that confirms the agency will pay ICASS 
charges for the TDYer, provides the agency ICASS 
billing code to which the TDY support charges should be 
applied, and authorizes the traveler to sign the ICASS 
invoice generated by the TDY module.  Where travel is 
urgent, the TDYer should bring this documentation with 
him/her to ensure there are no interruptions in the 
provision of service.  Post will not provide any 
service to a TDYer staying in excess of thirty days 
without provision of this documentation before day 31 
of the TDY.  If you have a sponsoring agency at post, 
please request that they fill out a TDY introductory 
memo on your behalf so that it is easier to receive the 
services you need from the embassy's ICASS service 
provider.  The Medical Unit cannot provide services 
without the introductory memo with fiscal data. 
 
¶7.  Policy for TDYs of 30 days or more:  Effective 
January 1, 2005, American personnel traveling to post 
on TDY assignments of 30 days or more must have 
completed mandatory personal security training.  The 
four-day course, "Serving Abroad for Families & 
Employees (S.A.F.E.)," is available at FSI, or agencies 
can apply to DS to provide their own equivalent 
security training.  In the country clearance request 
cable, agencies must provide certification that 
training for covered employees will be completed prior 
to travel.  For training schedules at FSI contact the 
Registrar?s Office at 703-302-7143; for the training 
syllabus contact Dr. Patricia Schofield at 703-302- 
¶7267.  For other agency self-certification, contact 
DS/T William Armor at 703-205-2816. 
 
¶8.  Security assessment: 
 
 
- There is currently a travel warning in effect for 
Kenya, whih states that ?American Citizens should 
evaluate their personal security in light of continuing 
terrorist threats and the limited ability of the Kenyan 
authorities to detect and deter such acts.?  The U.S. 
Government continues to receive indications of 
terrorist threats in the region aimed at American and 
western interests, including civil aviation, and that 
the Kenyan government might not be able to prevent such 
attacks. 
 
- Nairobi is designated a critical threat post for 
transnational terrorism and crime by the Department of 
State.  All TDY visitors who will be in Kenya for more 
than 2 weeks are required to attend a security briefing 
by the RSO  at the regularly scheduled security 
briefing at 9:00 a.m. on Thursdays.  Personnel on 
official USG business are required to stay in RSO 
approved hotels.  You may obtain the list from your 
sponsoring office. 
 
- Violent crime in Nairobi is sharply rising. 
Carjacking, in order to commit an armed robbery, is the 
most common form of crime in Nairobi.  In virtually 
every instance, carjackers use weapons to rob and 
carjack their victims.  Most victims, if they are 
completely cooperative, are usually released unharmed, 
with their vehicles.  However, victims are sometimes 
tied up and put in the back seat or trunk of their own 
car.  Criminals who commit these crimes will not 
hesitate to shoot a victim who is the least bit 
uncooperative, or may appear to hesitate before 
complying with their assailant.  The RSO recommends 
that if confronted with a criminal incident, victims 
acquiesce immediately and quietly.  Put your hands 
where they can be seen and avert your eyes.  Though 
this does not guarantee your personal safety it is more 
likely you will survive the incident. 
 
- Street crime is particularly bad in downtown Nairobi 
and Uhuru Park and mission personnel are strongly urged 
to avoid the downtown area after dark.  Throughout the 
country reports of group attacks and muggings are on 
the rise.  Pickpockets and thieves carry out "snatch 
and run" crimes on city streets and near crowds.  Large 
public functions are particularly vulnerable to rings 
of organized thieves.  Visitors have found it safer not 
to carry valuables, but rather to store them in hotel 
safety deposit boxes or in room safes.  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, 
handbags on the backs of chairs, carrying a protruding 
wallet, and carrying or showing large amounts of money 
in public. 
 
- While traveling in vehicles, doors should be kept 
locked and windows rolled up at all times.  Highway 
bandits are active on roads leading to the border areas 
and some areas in the northeastern portion of the 
country require special RSO approval prior to travel. 
 
- 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. 
 
¶9.  Internal travel: 
 
- Due to the dangerous driving conditions in Nairobi 
and in Kenya in general, post policy prohibits TDY?ers 
from driving USG or rental vehicles.  Waivers may be 
granted for operational reasons if approved by the RSO 
and the Front Office.  If riding with others or hiring 
a driver, note that 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.  Public 
ground transportation in Kenya, particularly after 
dark, should be avoided for safety and security 
reasons.  Travel via passenger train in Kenya is 
considered unsafe by the RSO, particularly during the 
rainy seasons.  The trains and tracks lack routine 
maintenance and safety checks. 
 
- GSO has contracted with Jim Cab Services to provide 
additional transportation services for the mission.  In 
 
the absence of special arrangements for use of official 
vehicles, TDYers and visitors will be expected to use 
this service for their transportation requirements. 
Because TDY transportation is reimbursed as part of the 
individual?s travel expenses, TDYers will pay for their 
transportation directly to Jim Cab when the services 
are rendered.  Landline numbers for Jim Cab are 712- 
2565, 712-1205 or 712-0344; cell phone numbers are 
0722-711001, 0722-714246 or 0733-735499.  Never get 
into any taxi that has anyone other than the driver in 
it as carjackers sometimes use taxis to carjack other 
vehicles. 
 
¶10.  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. 
 
¶11.  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.  Individuals with 
sickle cell trait should carefully consider the 
altitude of this post.  Short-term (TDY) assignments 
carry an added risk because of the lack of time for 
acclimatization.  Dehydration and stress from exercise 
or illness compound the basic risks of high altitude. 
For more information about sickle cell trait, contact 
your health unit or the medical clearances section of 
the Office of Medical Services. 
 
¶12.  Internal travel: 
 
- Due to the dangerous driving conditions in Nairobi 
and in Kenya in general, post policy now prohibits 
TDYers from driving USG or rental vehicles.  If riding 
with others or hiring a driver, note that 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.  Public ground transportation in 
Kenya, particularly after dark, should be avoided for 
safety and security reasons.  Travel via passenger 
train in Kenya is considered unsafe by the RSO, 
particularly during the rainy seasons.  The trains and 
tracks lack routine maintenance and safety checks. 
 
- GSO has contracted with Jim Cab Services to provide 
additional transportation services for the mission.  In 
the absence of special arrangements for use of official 
vehicles, TDYers and visitors will be expected to use 
this service for their transportation requirements. 
Because TDY transportation is reimbursed as part of the 
individual?s travel expenses, TDYers will pay for their 
transportation directly to Jim Cab when the services 
are rendered.  Landline numbers for Jim Cab are 254-20- 
712-2565, 254-20-712-205 or 254-20-712-0344; cell 
phone numbers are 254-722-711001, 254-722-714246 or 
254-733-735499. 
 
¶13.  Money matters: 
 
- For better exchange rates, it is recommended that 
money changing/accommodation exchange be undertaken 
through our contracted bank, the Commercial Bank of 
Africa (CBA).  CBA has branches in the US Embassy 
building and the USAID building.  CBA?s hours of 
operation are Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 12 noon 
and 1 PM to 3 PM; Friday, 9 AM to 12 noon.  For TDYers, 
CBA will cash up to 500 U.S. dollars per day and will 
change cash, traveler?s checks or personal checks.  If 
you are using personal checks, an exchange application 
form must be filled in and approved by the Financial 
 
Management Officer prior to visiting the bank.  Your 
control officer will provide the form or you may pick 
up a copy in the Financial Management Center.  Certain 
ATM machines in town will accept US ATM and credit 
cards. 
 
- Credit cards are accepted at major hotels and 
restaurants, with VISA and Mastercard being the cards 
of choice. 
 
- The current rate of exchange is approximately 69 
shillings to the U.S. dollar. 
 
¶14.  General: 
 
- AEA Morale Store:  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 accepted; no personal checks are accepted. 
 
- APO Use:  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. 
 
- TDY travelers to Nairobi can be given the option to 
connect to their State Department OpenNet mailbox. 
Please ask your system administrator for the domain 
name and the IP address/name of your organization?s 
mail server and confirmation that remote access of your 
mailbox is possible.  Please give our systems office 
advance notice of the need for remote connection by 
sending an e-mail with the above information to 
iscnairobi@state.gov. 
 
¶15.  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 if traveling on a non-diplomatic passport, 
or gratis if traveling with a diplomatic passport), but 
lines may be long and processing time slow.  Evidence 
of yellow fever immunization is usually requested upon 
entry to Kenya. 
 
¶16.  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 500 Kenya shilling 
(approximate) departure tax imposed on all domestic 
flights. 
 
RANNEBERGER