Published: April 28, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Kenya Travel Advisory and Kenya Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Nairobi:
United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi.
Tel: +254-(0)-20-363-6000; After-hours Emergency: +254-(0)-20-363-6170.
Hours: 0800-1600 Monday to Thursday; 0800-1200 Friday.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Nairobi has an active OSAC Country Chapter. Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Kenya Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should exercise increased caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and health. Access to medical care in Kenya is limited and medical facilities may not have adequate supply of medicine, especially outside large cities. Medical evacuation insurance valid for travel to Kenya is strongly recommended. Hospitals usually require payment before treatment.
Some areas of Kenya have increased security risks. The Travel Advisory indicates that travelers should not travel to the Kenya-Somalia border counties and some coastal areas, due to terrorism and kidnapping or areas of Turkana and West Pokot Counties, due to banditry. The Travel Advisory indicates that travelers should not travel to some areas within 30 miles of the Ethiopian border due to cross-border incursions. The Travel Advisory also recommends individuals reconsider travel to the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera, due to crime and kidnapping.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Nairobi as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Kenya, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
Crime in Kenya is a regular occurrence, and Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate such acts. Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including home invasions, burglaries, armed carjackings, and kidnappings can occur at any time and in any location. Criminals frequently use weapons during the commission of their crime. Most criminals rob victims of their possessions and release them unharmed if they are completely cooperative. However, criminals may not hesitate to shoot a victim who is uncooperative or who may appear to hesitate before complying with their assailant. Over the last year, street muggings and robberies were the most commonly reported crimes. Juvenile criminal activity increased over the last year, especially in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
Street crime is a serious problem, particularly in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Meru, and other large cities. Most street crime involves multiple armed assailants. In some instances, large crowds of street criminals incite criminal activity, which has the potential to escalate into mob violence with little notice. Do not walk/run outside of known, safe areas. Avoid hailing taxis from the street; this often results in robbery.
Along with other crimes of opportunity, pickpockets and thieves often carry out snatch-and-grab attacks in crowded areas and from vehicles idling in traffic, relieving pedestrians or drivers of purses, cell phones or other easily accessible belongings. Keep vehicle windows up and doors locked at all times.
Counterfeiting and trademark infringement is widespread and represents a major concern for local and international business. One study put the value of Kenya’s counterfeit trade at Ksh 70 billion (about U.S. $805 million). The counterfeit trade may involve organized criminal elements in Kenya and Somalia. The Government of Kenya criminalized trade in counterfeits and established the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) in 2010..he U.S. Embassy engages with ACA, and has supported extensive outreach efforts to law enforcement, local government officials, community leaders, and youth around the country. The American Chamber of Commerce, Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Kenya Association of Manufacturers engage on this issue.
Crime in Kenya is most prevalent in urban centers such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Meru and other larger cities. Cases of violent street crime targeting Westerners occur in many seemingly safe areas of Nairobi, ranging from simple muggings to kidnapping and extortion, including attacks during daylight hours. U.S. citizens using off-the-street taxis have also been victims of robbery, kidnapping, and extortion. The U.S. Embassy restricts its personnel from entering the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to kidnapping and crime.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Kenya, indicating that criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups seek to kidnap locals and foreigners and are active in counties near the Kenya-Somalia border, Kenya-Ethiopia border, and coastal areas.
On February 3, 2025, al-Shabaab militants operating in Mandera county abducted five Kenyan chief administrators under the Office of the President of Kenya as they were enroute to Elwak town in Mandera. The chiefs were travelling in advance of a tour of the northeastern county by President Ruto. The five chiefs were held in captivity inside Somalia for over sixty days and were released to Kenyan authorities on April 7, 2025.
On August 12, 2024, gunmen abducted two South Korean citizens from their residence at Odda Mission Church secondary school compound in Marasabit county. Kenyan officials indicated that the Oromo Liberation Army kidnapped the two and handed them over to Al-Shabaab. The two are believed to be in Al-Shabaab custody.
Kidnapping for extortion of Westerners has occurred in Nairobi, usually taking the form of carjackers or kidnappers removing individuals from their car or off the street by force and holding a victim for several hours while exploiting ATM and credit cards. Most incidents do not result in the victim’s death, but significant injuries are commonplace.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Nairobi as being a HIGH-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Kenya, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
Terrorism remains a high-priority concern. The U.S. government continues to receive information regarding potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western, and Kenyan interests in the Nairobi area, counties bordering Somalia, and in the coastal areas including Mombasa and Malindi. Past terrorist acts have included armed assaults, suicide operations, bomb/grenade and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, kidnappings, attacks on communication towers, attacks on public transportation, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in/near ports, and attacks on soft targets. Terrorists use these tactics and procedures independently or in combination with each other.
The porous border with Somalia remains a concern. Kenya is a participant in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and its successor African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Kenyan troops within ATMIS and AUSSOM continue to conduct operations against al-Shabaab in southeastern Somalia. In response to the Kenyan intervention, al-Shabaab and its sympathizers have conducted retaliatory attacks against civilian and government targets in Kenya, including targeting Westerners.
Al-Shabaab frequently uses ambushes and IEDs to target Kenyan security forces in Wajir, Garissa, Lamu, and Mandera counties. Al-Shabaab attacks so far in 2025 have led to a combined 14 deaths in Kenya, the deadliest start to a year since 2022. Examples of terrorist attacks in the last year include, but are not limited to:
- On March 23, 2025, six police personnel were killed in a suspected al-Shabaab ambush in northeast Kenya, near the border with Somalia.
- One February 24, 2025, one Kenya Defence Forces soldier was killed in a suspected al-Shabaab IED attack on a joint KDF and Police patrol in El Wak, Mandera county.
- On December 17, 2024, a joint security team travelling in a two-vehicle convoy was struck by an IED in Wajir County. At least eight officers sustained serious injuries in the suspected al-Shabaab attack.
- On November 14, 2024, al-Shabaab militants attacked an ambulance in Mandera county using an IED.
- On October 16, 2024, al-Shabaab militants launched a number of attacks on security forces in Mandera and Wajira counties.
- On May 10, 2024, suspected al-Shabaab militants killed one police officer in Garissa County. The militants launched an RPG followed by a ground assault aimed at the Border Police Unit.
- On March 25, 2024, three police officers and one civilian were killed after suspected al-Shabaab militants targeted a food stall with an IED in Mandera town near a police station.
- On March 23, 2024, suspected al-Shabaab militants attacked a police camp and a village in Lamu County. National Police Reservists (NPRs) engaged the militants in an exchange of fire, resulting in the deaths of two NPRs.
The current State Department Travel Advisory urges U.S. citizens to not travel to the border areas with Somalia due to threats by the terrorist group al-Shabaab. Additionally, U.S. government employees, contractors, and their dependents may not travel to the northeastern counties of Wajir, Garissa, Mandera, Tana River, and Lamu Counties, as well as parts of Kilifi County north of Malindi to the Kenya-Somalia border. Although these restrictions only apply to travelers associated with the U.S. government, all travelers should consider these restrictions when making plans.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Nairobi as being a HIGH-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Kenya, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes occur frequently, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond adequately. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Election-related violence has occurred in most of Kenya’s elections since the country’s independence in 1963. During the 2007 election, allegations of voter fraud led to intercommunal violence, displacement, and the deaths of approximately 1,000 people. Riots and demonstrations also occurred during Kenya’s general election in 2017; due to tallying irregularities the Kenyan Supreme Court annulled the results of the presidential election, resulting demonstrations, boycotts, and a severe crackdown on protests by state security agencies. Some human rights organizations reported up to 100 deaths.
Kenya’s most recent general and presidential election was held in August 2022. Opposition leader Raila Odinga cited widespread election irregularities and fraud; however the Kenyan Supreme Court upheld the President William Ruto’s electoral victory. Odinga called for protests throughout Kenya, which intensified in March-June 2023. However, electoral violence did not reach the height of unrest seen after the 2007 elections due to constitutional, electoral, and civil society reforms put in place in the late 2000s.
Presidential elections are set to be held in August 2027.
Protests & Demonstrations
Protests and demonstrations are common throughout Kenya – both peaceful and violent. Most large-scale demonstrations are due to political, economic, or social concerns. Strikes and other protest activity related to economic conditions occur regularly. In 2024, Kenya experienced widespread violent protests nationwide, beginning in June when parliament considered the Finance Bill, 2024, which aimed to raise taxes on essential items to repay foreign loans and fund development programs. On June 25, thousands of protesters stormed the Kenyan Parliament Building in Nairobi, setting part of it on fire and resulting in 19 deaths as police responded with teargas and gunfire. Despite the bill's passage, President William Ruto, facing intense public outrage, refused to sign it into law the following day. Protests continued into December, with demonstrators demanding the release of individuals allegedly abducted in the wake of the summer protests. Several human rights organizations and activists alleged that Kenyan security forces abducted, arbitrarily arrested, tortured, and killed perceived leaders of the anti-Finance Bill protests between June and August 2024, detaining them in unlawful facilities and denying them access to their families and lawyers.
In response to the ongoing unrest, Ruto formed a broad-based government, appointing politicians from various factions in the late fall of 2024. Political observers predict a challenging period ahead, as the government must establish a new electoral commission, and there are concerns that activists may initiate petitions to recall members of parliament, potentially leading to an early election. Political and social tensions remain high as the country navigates these issues.
Violence associated with demonstrations, ranging from rock throwing and use of fire as a weapon by protestors to use of less-than-lethal means and deadly force by police, occurs around the country; it is most notable in western Kenya and Nairobi.
Peaceful protests throughout Kenya are also common and occur weekly. In January 2025, thousands of women participated in demonstrations in Nairobi against sexual and gender-based violence. The demonstrations were peaceful but did cause localized roadblocks along the demonstration route.
Economic disruptions often take the form of protests that block key intersections and result in widespread traffic jams and other logistical issues.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anti-U.S. and anti-Western sentiment are not common or widespread in Kenya.
Law Enforcement
Kenya’s nationwide emergency numbers are 999, 112, and 911.
Additional Kenya Police Service contact information:
- Nairobi Area Control Room: +254-(0)-20-355-6771 or 999
- Diplomatic Police Hotlines: +254-(0)-708-589-522; +254-(0)-731-170-666
- Police Headquarters: +254-(0)-203-341-411
The Kenya Police Service (KPS) is the national agency in charge of law enforcement, to include city and county police divisions. All local police station elements report to the KPS Headquarters in Nairobi. The National Intelligence Service collects intelligence internally as well as externally and reports directly to the president. The Kenya Defense Forces report to the Defense Ministry and are responsible for external security, but have some domestic security responsibilities, including border security and supporting civilian organizations in the maintenance of order, including post-disaster response. Civilian authorities at times do not maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces have reportedly committed numerous abuses.
Police Response
The Kenyan Police Service response to the January 2019 DusitD2 Hotel attack was significantly better than to the 2013 Westgate Mall incident, when it took four days to neutralize four terrorists and one-third of the mall suffered catastrophic damage. The DusitD2 attack ended within 20 hours, with limited damage to the hotel complex.
Despite these positive steps, police often lack equipment, resources, training, and personnel to respond to calls for assistance or other emergencies. The likelihood of the police responding to an incident often depends on availability of officers and police vehicles. Police often lack resources and sufficient training in solving serious crimes and weaknesses in the judicial system contribute to slow prosecutions and large numbers of acquittals. Widespread institutional corruption limits the Kenyan Police Service from adequately responding to and dealing with crime at all levels of the Kenyan criminal justice system.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Kenya, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Kenya.
Officials frequently engage in allegedly corrupt practices with impunity. Despite public progress in fighting corruption, the government continues to face hurdles in implementing relevant laws effectively.
Police use excessive force in some cases when making arrests and there are frequent reports of police abuses, particularly of known or suspected criminals. Police have arrested and detained persons arbitrarily, including human rights activists. There are frequent reports of police stopping or arresting individuals to extort bribes. Police sometimes jail citizens on trumped-up charges or beat those who could not pay the bribes. During police vetting conducted by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) in recent years, many police officers were found to have the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars in their bank accounts, far exceeding what would be possible to save from their salaries. Mobile money records showed some officers also transferred money to superior officers.
The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption. Despite public progress in fighting corruption during the year, the government does not implement relevant laws effectively. Officials frequently engage in allegedly corrupt practices with impunity.
The government has taken additional steps to combat corruption, including increasing the number of investigations and prosecutions. The government made limited progress on other commitments, including adoption of international anticorruption standards and digitization of government records and processes. Because courts have significant case backlogs, cases could take years to resolve.
Cybersecurity
There are an estimated 3,000 cyber-crime incidences reported in Kenya every month. According to Information Technology, Security, and Assurance Kenya, internet-based crimes range from bank fraud and illegal money transfers to the compromise of personal data.
Import/Export Restrictions
You must get permission to carry any kind of firearm before you enter the country.
There are no restrictions on the use or importation of satellite phones. However, they may be subject to taxes and/or licensing requirements, although these regulations are not consistently enforced.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
