VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #1480/01 1690858
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 170858Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6111

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001480 
 
CODEL 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E R MEYERS, AF/RSA K MOODY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN KE
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CODEL NELSON 
(JUNE 28-JULY 1, 2008) 
 
REF: SECSTATE 62146 
 
 ¶1.  Embassy Nairobi grants country clearance and welcomes CODEL 
Nelson.  Country clearance is granted subject to the actual security 
situation at the time of proposed travel.  The embassy switchboard 
number is 254-20-363-6000 and the after-hours number is 
254-20-363-6170. Control officer is Lorraine Wager, work 
International Voice Gateway (IVG) telephone number 8-871-6217, cell 
phone 254-734-600-402, email WagerLT@state.gov.  Hotel accommodation 
has been arranged at the Intercontinental hotel at a cost of US$199 
inclusive of breakfast and taxes.  The hotel telephone number is 
254-20-32-00-000, and the hotel facsimile number is 254-20-32-00-030. 
 Ms. Wager will meet the CODEL on arrival with Embassy motor pool 
transport to the hotel. 
 
¶2.  Security assessment: 
 
- There is currently a travel warning in effect for Kenya, which 
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 
threat and crime by the Department of State.  The RSO is required to 
brief all TDY visitors staying more than two 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.  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) prohibit 
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.  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. 
 
¶5.  Money matters: 
 
- 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 61 shillings 
to the US dollar. 
 
¶6.  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.  Evidence of yellow fever immunization 
is usually requested upon entry to Kenya. 
 
SLUTZ