Cablegate: Travel Warning - Kenya

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 090854

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC KPAO PTER PREL KE
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - KENYA

1. This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S.
citizens on safety and security conditions in Kenya. The
temporary suspension of the United States Peace Corps
program in Kenya has been lifted and volunteers have now
returned to the country. The U.S. Department of State
continues to recommend that private American citizens in
Kenya and those considering travel to Kenya evaluate their
personal security situation in light of continuing threats
from terrorism and crime. This Travel Warning supersedes
the Travel Warning of March 21, 2008.

Current Situation
-----------------
2. The power-sharing agreement signed on February 28 has
been widely accepted throughout Kenya; parliament ratified
it on March 18. Implementation of the agreement is
proceeding and members of the coalition government
continue to adhere to the terms of the accord. The U.S.
Embassy in Nairobi will continue to monitor the political
climate and update travel information for American
citizens as necessary.
Crime and Terrorist Acts
------------------------
3. Kenya has a high rate of violent crime and remains
susceptible to attacks from terrorists in the region. The
U.S. Government continues to receive indications of
potential terrorist threats aimed at American, western,
and Kenyan interests. Terrorist acts could include
suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on
civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near
Kenyan ports. Many of those responsible for the attacks
on the U.S. Embassy in 1998 and on a hotel in Mombasa in
2002 remain at large and continue to operate in the
region.

4. Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks,
including armed carjackings and home invasions/burglaries,
can occur at any time and in any location, particularly in
Nairobi. As recently as June 2008, U.S. Embassy personnel
were victims of carjackings. In the short-term, the
continued displacement of thousands of people by the
recent civil unrest combined with endemic poverty and the
availability of weapons could result in an increase in
crime, both petty and violent. Kenyan authorities have
limited capacity to deter or investigate such acts or
prosecute perpetrators.

5. American citizens in Kenya should be extremely
vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by
foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale
shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship.
Americans should also remain alert in residential areas,
schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should
avoid demonstrations and large crowds.

6. Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya are
encouraged to register through the State Department's
travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov . By registering,
American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to
contact them in case of emergency. Americans without
Internet access may register directly with the U.S.
Embassy in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy 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) 363-6170. The Embassy home page
is http://kenya.usembassy.gov.

7. Updated information on travel and security in Kenya

STATE 00090854 002 OF 002

may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-
888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or
for callers outside the United States and Canada, a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further
information, please consult the Country Specific
Information for Kenya and the Worldwide Caution Travel
Alert, which are available on the Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov .

8. Minimize considered.
RICE

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