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Safety in Kenya

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How safe is it for a single white american 32 year old girl to travel in Kenya alone?
15 years ago, November 2nd 2008 No: 1 Msg: #53207  
I am currently working in South Korea. At the end of my contract I need to decide where I want to go. I am thinking about Kenya, but I was wondering is it a safe place to travel alone for a female american, these days? Reply to this

15 years ago, November 2nd 2008 No: 2 Msg: #53213  
Hello Loren 😊

I visited Kenya alone when I was 30. It is safe enough to go there but I would take more precautions than you would in your home country. Dont wander around at night, even with others. Dont take the bus from the airport into Nairobi. Dont display any valuables such as camera, jewelery(even fake gold looking type jewelery). Dont eat or drink anything offered to you by strangers. Dont fall asleep on any public transport. Dress modestly, especially in rural areas.

Follow the above precautions and you should be safe enough and enjoy Kenya.

Mel Reply to this

15 years ago, November 9th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #53956  
Hello Loren

During the day Kenya is a safe place - the people are great and most welcoming. It is a very relaxing country as long as you take sensible precautions.

However, you need to be extremely wary at night - I am a male and was always in my room not long after nightfall outside of Nairobi - and never, ever set foot in the streets of Nairobi at night. To put it simply, if the Nairobi locals always take a taxi in the evening regardless of how short the distance - then it is wise for you to do the same. Don't even loiter outside a building waiting for a taxi at night, they will drive into the carpark of the restaurant or hotel where you are waiting.

I did take the bus to the airport in Nairobi, but that was during the day - wouldn't consider it at night. I also agree with Mel about any show of wealth - my camera stayed very much hidden during my days in the capital. Reply to this

15 years ago, November 9th 2008 No: 4 Msg: #54000  

I did take the bus to the airport in Nairobi, but that was during the day



Taking the bus to the airport is not so bad. When you take it from the airport the locals guess that you are new in the country and will push and shove you on the bus and rob you while you are distracted by it. If you see any expats or those who have travelled in Kenya before at the airport you can ask them which taxi service they use and then use the same one. Reply to this

15 years ago, November 9th 2008 No: 5 Msg: #54020  
The precaution of not taking public buses from the airport is true, and it does not only apply to Nairobi, but to a few other cities as well. I am sure that there was at least one taxi booking service at the airport, and possibly an airport/hotel bus shuttle service, so that is an option if there are no expats around. Reply to this

15 years ago, November 10th 2008 No: 6 Msg: #54052  
Thank you both for your advice. Kenya has always been one of the places I have wanted to go and now that I am in a place in my life where I can go, I just do not want to get myself in a situtaion I cannot easily get out of. I know that is a lot to ask when it comes to some places in Africa, but I am hopeful Kenya is. Reply to this

15 years ago, November 10th 2008 No: 7 Msg: #54099  
Kenya is currently one of the less dangerous countries in Africa. The unrest of last Spring seems to have died down and things seem to be back to normal(as far as I have heard).

It may be worth it for you to get a copy of the Lonely Planet guide for either Kenya or E. Africa. These guides not only give information about accomodation, attractions, transport.... but they also gives accurate safety information. They are available in most bookshops around the world and also on the internet for around 30 Euros. Reply to this

15 years ago, November 12th 2008 No: 8 Msg: #54402  
Hi Lorren,

You dont need to be worried of Kenya,I promise Kenya at the moment it's the safest place to be.Take it Cool Reply to this

15 years ago, November 12th 2008 No: 9 Msg: #54438  

Which part of Kenya was it?
Reply to this

15 years ago, November 12th 2008 No: 10 Msg: #54441  
I was groped in Kenya too. Be sure to dress conservatively to try to make it less likely, especially in rural areas.

Which part of Kenya was it?


I am not sure what the relevance of this question is? Sexual harassment of women travellers is quite a common problem, more so in some countries than ohters. It is not just a case of there being one bad man in one particular corner of a country and something we can avoid by staying away from that corner.
Reply to this

15 years ago, November 13th 2008 No: 11 Msg: #54484  
Hi guys,
In very country in the world we have good people and bad people,Maybe you guys used to walk in dark streets for sure you will be snatched of which it's every of part of the world and your hair doesn't mater because we aslo have Indians,somalis and Ethiopias who have long hair.In Nairobi there are some designated streets for tourist to use and do there shopping and discos,why go soo much deep in town?

Kind regards Reply to this

15 years ago, November 13th 2008 No: 12 Msg: #54486  

In Nairobi there are some designated streets for tourist to use and do there shopping and discos,why go soo much deep in town?


Designated streets for tourists! Your comments certainly do not give the impression that Kenya is safe. It is about time the police in Kenya started making all streets safe and without expecting a bribe for it. But indeed, until that happens avoiding dark and isolated streets is good advice.
There would be no point in going to a country at all if we are to be isolated on our own special streets.

There were numerous occasions where we were attacked by men, trying to pull us into their shacks, or just on the street in town, pushed against a wall and violated, or trying to get to the internet cafe, accosted by various men along the way.


I think you might have had a particularly bad experience Lyndsay. And I think you might be right that part of the cause of it was going to Kenya soon after the election violence. During and immediately after things like that the social structure is to some extent broken down. When I was there I was groped once and just pestered most of the time. There was no political unrest at that time in Kenya. I think you would have a different experience if you go again. At least I hope you would.
Reply to this

15 years ago, November 13th 2008 No: 13 Msg: #54521  

It was the LOCALS who told me not to let my hair down.


I was taken to the market by one of the local women in a village in Kenya to buy a petticoat, to wear under my ankle dress, to make it more modest. :D

Nairobi was pretty good though.


Despite that it is nicknamed Nairobbery. :D
Reply to this

15 years ago, November 17th 2008 No: 14 Msg: #54798  
I moved this to the Travel News and Discussion forum.

Mel Reply to this

15 years ago, November 17th 2008 No: 15 Msg: #54806  
Thanks Mel for your idea.

Barbet

Reply to this

15 years ago, November 21st 2008 No: 16 Msg: #55240  
I deleted one post. Please avoid posting SPAM on this forum.

Mel Reply to this

15 years ago, November 22nd 2008 No: 17 Msg: #55279  
yes, thanks Mel for moving this and thank you all for you information. I really appreciate it. Reply to this

15 years ago, November 22nd 2008 No: 18 Msg: #55280  
I don't want to sound alarmist, but the US Department of State warns American citizens to be very wary of travelling to Kenya.

Please see http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html

Being a little cynical, very often travel advice issued by governments is written so that if anything untoward should happen they can turn round and say "we told you so" But in this particular case the advice is written in strong language. It isn't saying "don't go" but it underlines what others have said on this message board about the need to be extremely cautious about your personal safety.

Are you intending trying to find work there? Or are you taking a break after your contact ends in South Korea? If you are traveling for pleasure it may be safer if you could find a travel companion - perhaps though travelblog - or join an organised tour at least until you have had a chance to assess the situation for yourself.

If you decide to go please heed the advice from The Travel Camel about venturing out after dark. Stay safe and good luck!
Reply to this

15 years ago, February 19th 2009 No: 19 Msg: #63545  
N Posts: 6
What a load of crap !!! I went to school with White people 20 years ago in Kenya and they certainly were not 'violated' 'groped' etc etc.I am assuming these are incidents of the sort that occur in many large cities around the world.I got groped two days ago in Covent Garden !!!!!! I travel frequently with white people to kenya and have yet to see harassment of the scale described.Yes touts and hawkers do exist but like in any other Third world destination,try Morocco and see harassment. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 19th 2009 No: 20 Msg: #63550  
Probalby we as white people experience the most harassment because we stand out so much. If we looked like the locals it would be easier to avoid the amount of attention we get. Reply to this

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