Kenya

Safety and security

Emergency phone numbers

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing emergency services.

• Dial 999 or 112 for police and emergency services.

Terrorism

Terrorists and their supporters may target U.S. citizens abroad.

Terrorists may target:

• Large public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Popular hotels, clubs, and restaurants
• Places of worship
• Schools
• Parks
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation (subways, buses, trains, and commercial flights)

Terrorist attacks

Terrorist attacks in Kenya have killed and injured hundreds of people, including foreigners.  An attack can happen at any time, including important national days and around religious holidays. 

Demonstrations

Demonstrations are common. They may take place in response to political or economic issues. They may also occur on significant holidays, and during large events.

• Kenya’s next parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for August 10, 2027. Demonstrations have often occurred during past election cycles.
• Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests and other demonstrations.
• Many past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Demonstrations often block key intersections or highways, resulting in widespread traffic jams.
• Demonstrations may involve rock-throwing by protesters and use of deadly force by police.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

Crime

• Petty crime in Kenya is a regular occurrence.
• Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to prevent and investigate crimes.
• Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks can occur at any time. Crimes include home invasions, burglaries, armed carjackings, muggings, and kidnappings. 
• Criminals target “matatus” (privately-operated public buses) since they carry multiple passengers.
• U.S. citizens using off-the-street taxis have been victims of robbery, kidnapping, and extortion.

Scams

Follow the Department of State guidelines to protect yourself from scams.

If you are a victim of a scam, learn how the FBI can help.

Financial scams, investment scams, and internet romance scams are common in Kenya. Be careful of anyone asking for money, especially those who attempt to initiate a romantic relationship online or claim local authorities want money. 

Scams often begin through online posts, emails, or letters. Scammers may pretend to be U.S. citizens in need of help.

Common scams include:

• Purchases of gold bars or other gold investment scams
• Joint real estate investments with Kenyan citizens, where the joint owner defrauds the U.S. citizen, declaring sole ownership rights
• Charity scams, such as financing land or buildings for nonprofits like schools, orphanages, or churches
• Romance and online dating
• Money transfers
• Too-good-to-be-true purchases or sales
• Contracts with promises of large commissions
• Inheritance notices
• Work permits and job offers
• People claiming to be U.S. military personnel
• People claiming to be detained or hospitalized abroad
• Grandparent and relative targeting
• Free trip or luggage
• Lotteries

If using dating apps or websites in Kenya:

• Criminals may use dating apps to target potential victims for robbery or assault.
• Let your friends and family know where you are and consider sharing your location on your phone.
• Meet in a popular public place.
• Tell your family or friends all the details about the person you are meeting and how you met them (which app).
• Set up and talk using a video call before agreeing to meet in person.
• Avoid locations where you can be isolated, like hotel rooms, private apartments or houses.
• Never leave food or drinks unattended at a bar or restaurant.
• Observe the preparation of your food or drink order when possible.
• Refuse offers of food or drinks from strangers.
• Have a communication plan with friends or family. Send updates to them on an agreed schedule.

Fake company orders

• Scammers have pretended to be real companies and ordered products shipped through Mombasa with promises to pay later. 
• Companies should check on their own to make sure the buying company is real before shipping goods without getting paid first. For help checking if a business opportunity or Kenyan buyer is real, contact the Commercial Section at [email protected].  

Gold scams

• Many foreigners, including U.S. citizens, have been tricked by gold scams. In these scams, people pay large amounts of money for fake gold bars, gold investments, or export deals. 

Land scams

• Many U.S. citizens have also been scammed through fake joint land ownership investments or fake land purchases for charity. 
• The U.S. embassy’s ability to help is limited. In most cases, local police cannot get victims’ money back. 

Buying property 

• Owning land in Kenya as a foreigner can cause problems. U.S. citizens who want to buy property should talk to a local lawyer before making decisions.
• U.S. citizens have been threatened by neighbors or others who believe they own the property, business, school, or church. 

Victims of crime

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. You may report crimes to the local police by dialing 999 or 112.

Review our information for Victims of Crime.

For consular services for crime victims in Kenya, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

The U.S. embassy can:

• Replace a stolen or lost passport.
• Help you find medical care.
• Assist you in how to report a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the criminal justice system.
• Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys.
• Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States or limited medical support in cases of need.
• Help you find accommodation and options to travel home.

Sexual assault and domestic violence

• Sexual assault is common in Kenya and often goes unreported. U.S. citizens have reported sexual assaults at safari lodges, on beaches, and around nightlife areas.
• Victims of sexual assault may have difficulty receiving social or medical support.
• Sexual assault often happens to women, but it also happens to men in Kenya. Men often don’t report it because of the shame and embarrassment connected to this type of assault. 

Resources

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and local law enforcement for assistance. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, consider contacting a doctor for medicine that can help prevent HIV.

• Dial 999 or 112, to report crimes to the local police. 
• Dial +254-20-363 6000 to contact the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
• The Gender Violence Recovery Center has been providing specialized medical treatment and psychosocial support to low-income survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
• Healthcare Assistance Kenya (HAK) offers a 24-hour Rapid Response Service to women and children survivors of gender-based violence. It also has a free 24-hour hotline.

Technology use abroad

Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and damage anywhere in the world. Follow these safe practices:

• Update all software (operating system and apps) before leaving the United States.
• Use reputable, U.S.-based VPN or VoIP applications.
• Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi networks.
• Research the safety of routes recommended by GPS. The fastest route is not always the safest.
• Be cautious using dating apps abroad, as scammers often target U.S. citizens.
• Do not bring drones to Kenya without approval by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority as they will be confiscated. U.S. citizens have also been arrested for operating drones in sensitive areas, such as near airports, military facilities, or diplomatic mission areas.

GPS

Prior to using GPS abroad:

• Research the route recommended by the GPS to make sure it is safe.
• The fastest path may not be the safest.
• GPS applications can be unreliable.
• It is best to follow major roads and highways.
• Confirm your route with locals before traveling to unfamiliar locations.

Drones

Drone use is strictly regulated in Kenya. 

• To fly a drone in Kenya, you must get a permit from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. 
• U.S. citizens have been arrested for operating drones in sensitive areas, such as near diplomatic missions, airports, or government facilities.

Tourism safety

The tourism industry is unevenly regulated:

• Game parks and safari tours with well-established operators are more likely to follow safety rules. 
• Dangerous areas and activities are not always marked with signs.
• Staff may not be trained or certified.
• If you get injured, you will likely need to travel to a major city for appropriate medical care.
• First responders cannot reach remote areas in case of emergencies.
• U.S. citizens are encouraged to have medical evacuation insurance. 
• Review our information on Travel Insurance.

Safari insurance requirements

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) runs Kenya’s national parks. It requires all tour operators and safari lodges to have insurance. You should:

• Ask if your safari camp or tour operator has this required insurance. 
• Follow all local and park rules. 
• Be careful in places you don’t know. 

Check the qualifications and safety record of all tourist lodges and guides before hiring them and going into the wild with them. 

Safari vehicle safety 

Each year, U.S. citizens have been injured or killed in safari vehicles. 

• Roads in many parks are in rough condition or are dirt tracks. 
• The vehicle operators may speed or go offroad. 
• U.S. citizens not wearing seatbelts have been thrown from vehicles or experienced significant spinal injuries. 
• Safari vehicles can also flip over. 

Check your tour operator

The Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority oversees the country’s tourism sector. 

• Research your tour operator before booking. 
• Check for certification or a license number from the Kenyan Tourism Regulatory Authority.
• The Kenya Association of Tour Operators is a trade association that provides some oversight in the tourism industry. A list of their members is on their website. 

Common tour operator problems

Book tours with trusted tour operators to avoid disappointment or situations where the tour operator doesn’t give you what they promised.     

Some U.S. citizens have hired tour operators that: 

• didn’t meet them at the airport
• didn’t book or pay for hotels as agreed
• didn’t pay for park entrance fees as promised in their service agreements

Local laws and customs

Criminal penalties

• U.S. citizens must follow local laws. 
• If you break local laws, even by mistake, you could be deported, arrested, or imprisoned.
• Travelers who accidentally break local laws have been detained. Sometimes, this can be for a long time. They may also face criminal charges and even be convicted of a crime.
• You may be prosecuted in the United States for crimes committed abroad regardless of the local law. Review the information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice about crimes against minors abroad.
• Before you start a business or a profession in Kenya, seek legal advice about what permits or licenses are required and consult the Commercial Section at [email protected].  

Weapons and ammunition

• Having any amount of ammunition, including spent shell casings, can get you 7 years or more in prison.
• Breaking Kenya’s Firearms Act can get you 1 year to life in prison.
• You cannot bring any firearms, including sporting guns, into Kenya unless you have an import permit. 
• Possession of firearms while in Kenya requires a firearms certificate, which can be hard to get.

Drugs

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Kenya are severe. People found guilty can expect long prison sentences and heavy fines.

Wildlife items

• Penalties for possessing banned wildlife items under Kenya’s Wildlife Act include large fines and severe penalties, including life sentences.

Alcohol

Kenya’s Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010 controls when and where you can drink alcohol in public. 

• If local police find you drunk or in or near public areas, including some businesses, you can be arrested without warrant and brought to court for trial.

Customs regulations

Customs rules are strict about importing certain items into or out of Kenya. These items include:

• antiquities
• medications
• business equipment
• currency
• ivory
• rhino horn
• other wildlife products including hides, skins, and teeth

U.S. citizens have been detained and arrested for attempting to bring illegal items into Kenya. Contact the Embassy of Kenya or one of Kenya’s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Import duties on gifts and donations

Customs officials at ports of entry often charge high import duties on U.S. citizens bringing in gifts, electronics, and charity donations. This includes books, school supplies and clothes. The U.S. Embassy cannot help in these situations.

Bringing in healthcare products

Healthcare products brought in without following the rules can be taken away. People who import these items face criminal and civil penalties. Travelers who import healthcare products must follow the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Act and related laws.

The Government of Kenya requires temperature and humidity monitoring, import and export authorization permits, and advance notice for certain shipments.

Regulated healthcare items

Regulated items include:

• Sample and donated consignments
• Medicines, including those for personal use
• Body parts for transplants and scientific purposes
• Finished pharmaceuticals and chemical products
• Vaccines and medical devices.

Product requirements

• You cannot import expired products. The Government of Kenya requires products to have at least two-thirds of their original shelf life at the time of importation. This is the time between the manufactured date and the expiration date. 
• All products require market authorization from the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board for legal importation.
• For questions and applications for import permits, contact the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board at [email protected].

Arrest notification

• If you are arrested or detained, ask officials to notify the U.S. embassy immediately.

Detention conditions

Detainees in Kenya often cannot get their prescribed or over-the-counter medications.

• Detainees in Kenya may not have access to emergency and routine medical care.
• Detainees in Kenya often struggle to access quality, affordable legal services.
• Investigations can be slow, leading to long pretrial detentions.

Counterfeit and pirated goods

Counterfeit and pirated goods are common in many destinations.

• They may be illegal according to local laws.
• Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety.
• You may be subject to fines or have to surrender counterfeit and pirated goods to authorities if you bring them back to the United States.

Learn more about U.S. restrictions on counterfeit and pirated goods:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• U.S. Department of Justice

Faith-based travelers

Faith-based travel includes pilgrimages, service projects, and mission work. Prepare for your travel using these resources:

• Faith-Based Travel
• Volunteering Abroad
• International Religious Freedom Reports

Gay and lesbian travelers

Kenyan law makes same-sex sexual activity illegal. 

• Kenyan law criminalizes “carnal knowledge against the order of nature.” This is interpreted to prohibit consensual same-sex sexual activity. The maximum penalty is 14 years in prison. 

• A separate law specifically makes sex between men illegal. It has a maximum penalty of 21 years in prison.
• Police have detained suspected sex workers.
• Discrimination based on sexual orientation is common.
• Gay and lesbian advocacy organizations, such as the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, have been allowed to register and operate.

The U.S. embassy has received many reports from gay travelers who have been assaulted after meeting Kenyans on dating applications.

Review our information for Gay and Lesbian Travelers.

Travelers with accessibility needs

The law in Kenya prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. The law is not consistently enforced. 

• Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as common as in the United States.
• Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication, information, and general infrastructure.
• Access to government and private buildings, medical facilities, restaurants, and other public and private facilities is limited.
• Public transportation and taxis do not accommodate wheelchairs. These vehicles are most often hailed from the side of busy roads.
• Sidewalks by roads are often unpaved or non-existent, and road crossings are often unmarked.
• Review our information on Accessibility Needs.

Students

• Be aware of schools and other facilities in Kenya that claim to be "rehabilitation" centers. These places hold minors and adults against their will. They abuse them physically, sexually, and emotionally. Review the Health section for more information.
• Review our information on Studying Abroad.

Women travelers

Forced marriage happens in Kenya.

Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) is also known to occur in Kenya. It was outlawed in Kenya in 2011. It is a federal crime to perform FGM/C in the United States on anyone younger than 18 years old. The punishment is fines and up to 5 years in prison. It is also a criminal offense to knowingly take a minor outside of the United States for the purpose of performing FGM/C.

Sexual assault is common in Kenya and often goes unreported. Most major police stations have a gender and family officer. However, their ability to help victims of sexual assault may be limited.

• Review our information for Women Travelers.
• Review our information on Marriage.
• Review our information on Female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C).
• Review our information for Victims of Crime.

Human rights

Significant human rights issues include credible reports of:

• Arbitrary or unlawful killings
• Disappearances
• Torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment
• Arbitrary arrest or detention
• Transnational repression
• Serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence or threats of violence against journalists and censorship
• Significant presence of the worst forms of child labor

The government took steps to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses. However, impunity is a problem at all levels of government.

Journalists can view information about the risks of practicing journalism abroad.

Review the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for your destination prior to traveling

Health

Health resources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Kenya Traveler Information provides destination specific information on prevalent diseases and vaccination recommendations.
• CDC Medical Tourism Information
• World Health Organization
• Medicine and Health
• Travel Insurance

Emergency phone numbers

• Dial 999 or 112 for emergency medical services in Kenya.

Ambulance services

Ambulance services are usually linked to specific hospitals.

• Ambulances are not present or reliable in most areas.
• They are not equipped with advanced medical equipment.
• Response times are slow. Injured or very ill travelers often take a taxi or their own car to the nearest major hospital. This option can be faster than waiting for an ambulance.

Avoid rehabilitation facilities

Be aware of schools and other facilities in Kenya that claim to be "rehabilitation" centers. These places hold minors and adults against their will. They abuse them physically, sexually, and emotionally.

• “Rehabilitation” centers operate in Kenya without adequate licensing and oversight.
• U.S. citizens or residents who attract people to Kenya under false promises or forcibly place U.S. citizens into such facilities may face legal penalties in the United States. 
• “Rehabilitation” centers claim to provide drug and alcohol treatment. In some cases, they claim to address reported behavioral issues for minors and young adults.
• Documented abuse includes beatings, withholding food and water, long exposure to harsh weather, and physical restraint by chains.
• U.S. citizen families are strongly cautioned to avoid “rehabilitation” centers. 

Medical payments and insurance

Make sure you know if your health insurance plan covers any medical expenses coverage abroad. Most U.S. plans do not.

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills.
• U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover expenses or bills abroad.
• Hospitals and doctors in Kenya do not generally accept U.S. health insurance.
• Make sure you know if your health insurance plan provides coverage abroad or reimbursement of payments. The CDC provides more information on types of insurance. 
• If you purchase medical travel insurance, you are responsible for seeking reimbursement from your medical insurance. Follow their guidance and instructions for filing claims.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. Medical evacuation to the United States from Kenya is extremely expensive.
• Hospitals and doctors generally require payment up front prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available. Many hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Before agreeing to any medical care, gather full details on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures.
• Patients may not be released from a hospital until all bills have been paid. In the case of death, hospitals will not release remains until all bills have been paid. U.S. citizens have sometimes been held in hospitals for days or weeks due to unpaid bills. 

Vaccinations

Show proof of yellow fever immunizations if arriving from an endemic country or you may be denied entry. There are limited exceptions.

Stay up to date with recommended vaccines:

• CDC Travelers’ Health
• World Health Organization Travel Advice

Healthcare facilities

Medical services are adequate in Nairobi for most medical conditions and emergencies.

• In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in or near the major cities of Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
• First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment.
• The U.S. embassy maintains a list of hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.
• Health care in many areas is below U.S. standards.
• Public medical clinics may lack basic resources and supplies.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.

Prescription medications

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 

• Be sure to bring enough of your prescription medication (as well as over-the-counter medications) to last the entire duration of your trip.
• Check with the Kenyan Ministry of Health  to ensure the medication is legal in Kenya.
• Exercise caution when purchasing medication abroad. Pharmaceuticals, both over-the-counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls.
• Counterfeit medication is common and may not work, have the wrong strength, or have dangerous ingredients. You should buy medication with the help of a medical professional and from trusted places.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have rules for bringing medication back into the United States. If you buy medications abroad, the medications must meet CBP’s and the FDA’s requirements to bring them back legally.

The medications must also be for personal use and approved for use in the United States.

For more information:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Food and Drug Administration

Non-traditional medicine

• We strongly recommend against participating in non-traditional medicine. Make sure you have access to licensed emergency medical facilities in such cases.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and surrogacy

Surrogacy programs in Kenya are unregulated. Due to the lack of clear laws, U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution before contracting surrogacy services in Kenya.

• Families have reported difficulties obtaining required legal documentation from Kenyan authorities.
• Families have reported difficulties taking children out of Kenya.
• Difficulties may increase if a parent is single.
• If you are considering traveling to Kenya to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), please review our information on ART and Surrogacy Abroad.

Water quality and food safety

• In many locations, tap water is not available every day.
• Bottled water and beverages are generally safe. Use major brands and ensure the seal is intact.
• Many restaurants and hotels serve bottled water unless tap water is specifically requested.
• You may choose to request no ice in your drinks since it may be made using tap water.
• Eating uncooked vegetables and fruits can make you sick.
• Make water safe by filtering, boiling, disinfecting, or distilling.
• Impure water can cause diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, and dysentery.

Air quality

Air pollution can be a significant problem in many destinations abroad.

• Check NASA’s Air Quality Forecast. It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), historical data, and global pollution modeling to generate a 3-day forecast of expected air quality in Kenya.  
• For information about common air pollutants, check the CDC’s Air Quality page.
• For information about the U.S. Air Quality Index and health guidance, check out the EPA’s AirNow.

Vehicles are often poorly maintained, and there are not proper emissions controls. Air quality around major thoroughfares or factories and during the dry season may be poor.

For general health information, visit the Medicine and Health page.

Transportation

Road conditions and safety

General road dangers 

Road accidents are a major threat to travelers in Kenya.

• Roads are poorly maintained and are often bumpy, potholed, and unpaved.
• Traffic moves on the left side of the road.
• Beware of vehicles traveling at excessive speed, and unpredictable local driving habits.
• Many vehicles are poorly maintained and lack basic safety equipment.
• Heavy traffic jams are common.
• Some vehicles will cross the median strip and drive against the flow of traffic.
• Speed bumps are common on highways and major roads and are often not well-marked
• Pedestrians, cyclists, stalled vehicles, and animals are frequently found on roads, even busy highways.
• Most intersections do not have traffic lights, and motorists do not always pay attention to the ones that do.

Highway dangers

• Highways in Kenya are particularly dangerous. 
• Major routes between Nairobi and Nakuru and Nairobi and Mombasa are only 2 lanes with many slow-moving trucks. Drivers will often pass slower vehicles with little warning. U.S. citizens are killed each year in highway accidents.

Dangerous driving behaviors

Drivers in Kenya may frequently: 

• pass with little warning or on blind turns
• merge onto roads without stopping
• change lanes with no warning 
• drive on the wrong side of the road
• travel with cargo or other items that have not been properly secured

Public transportation dangers

• Matatus: U.S. citizens have been fatally injured in accidents involving long-distance, inter-city buses and local buses and vans called “matatus.” Matatus are the greatest danger to other vehicles and pedestrians. U.S. government personnel are not allowed to use them.
• Boda bodas: Injuries and fatalities involving 2-wheeled motorcycle taxis, called “boda bodas,” are common. They often fail to follow basic safety precautions and ignore traffic rules. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using them.

Nighttime travel 

• Avoid driving between cities at night due to poor road and streetlight conditions and the threat of banditry. 

Safari vehicle safety

• Safari vehicles can flip over. U.S. citizens have also been severely injured or killed when not wearing seatbelts in safari vehicles.

Rainy season dangers

• During the rainy seasons, some unpaved roads are impassable even with 4-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance. 
• Ask local officials about road conditions

Traffic laws

You may drive with a valid U.S. driver’s license for up to 3 months in Kenya. If you are staying in Kenya longer, you should apply for a Kenya driver’s license.

• An international driving permit may be useful.

If you have an accident

• Dial 999 or go to a police station. 
• Document well the circumstances of the accident. If in danger, seek immediate medical attention or move to a safe place.
• Carry your passport with a valid visa stamp. 
• Police frequently expect bribes when they pull vehicles over.

Taxis and ride-shares

Ride share apps like Uber and Bolt are common in major cities in Kenya.

• Avoid hailing taxis on the side of the road. Use taxi services recommended by your hotel or from an airport kiosk.
• U.S. embassy personnel are not allowed to hail taxis on the street.

Public and commercial transportation

All forms of public transportation are unregulated, unreliable, and generally unsafe.

• The only approved train route for U.S. government personnel is the Nairobi to Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway. U.S. government personnel can only ride in the first-class cabin to avoid pickpockets and leave quickly, if necessary.
• Avoid matatus and boda bodas.
• Mini-buses, buses, and ferries are in poor mechanical condition. They are often overcrowded.
• Make sure any car you rent is adequately insured, preferably by written confirmation from the insurance company.
• If you are hiring a driver and car, check the contract to make sure you are not liable for any accident or damage.
• Review our information on Driving and Transportation Safety Abroad.

Aviation safety oversight

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found that Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority meets international standards for aviation safety oversight. FAA's website  includes more information on its assessment program.

Maritime travel

Mariners planning travel to Kenya should check the following:

• U.S. Maritime Advisories
• U.S. Maritime Alerts
• Maritime Safety Office Navigational Warnings 
• U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Commons

The U.S. Coast Guard is unable to determine if effective anti-terrorism measures are in place in Somali ports as required by 46 U.S. Code § 70108. Mariners and passengers traveling through Somali ports should exercise caution and implement enhance security measures. 

Weather and natural disasters

Flooding

The main rainy season is historically March to May. The secondary rainy season is historically from October to December. However, rainy seasons have become less predictable in recent years.

• Most affected areas: western Kenya, coastal regions, urban areas with poor drainage, and areas near Lake Victoria.
• Safari camps near creeks or rivers may flood. Major floods led to helicopter rescues in the Maasai Mara in May 2024.
• Impacts include displacement, damage of buildings, waterborne diseases, mosquito-borne diseases, and agricultural losses.

Drought

Drought is most severe from January to March and from June to September. 

• Most affected areas: dry lands in northern and eastern Kenya, and parts of the Rift Valley.
• Impacts include food shortages, livestock losses, water shortages, fires, and population displacement. 
• Droughts have impacted wildlife in some national parks and conservancies.

Landslides and mudslides

Landslides and mudslides can occur during heavy rains, particularly from March to May.

• Most affected areas: hilly and mountainous regions in parts of central and western Kenya, particularly where forests have been cut down. 
• Impacts include loss of life, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and displacement.

Local resources

• Kenya Meteorological Department
• National Drought Management Authority
• Kenya Red Cross Society

U.S. citizens living abroad

Living abroad resources

If you live outside the United States for a long time, you or your family may experience various life events, wish to exercise U.S. citizenship rights, or need to meet U.S. legal obligations while abroad.

• Learn how to prepare for voting in U.S. elections, the birth of a child, or getting married.
• Ensure you have a plan for healthcare and medical insurance abroad.
• Even abroad, you still have certain obligations such as paying your U.S. taxes or registering for military selective service.
• Review information on federal benefits, such as Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits.

Embassies and consulates