COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR WEIS SHERDEL

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001789 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KE OTRA SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR WEIS SHERDEL REF. SECSTATE 60812 ¶1. USAID/REDSO grants country clearance for the visit of Weis Sherdel from June 18 to July 21, 2006 to provide Phoenix 6.0 training and support services. Country clearance is granted subject to the actual security situation at the time of proposed travel. Per reftel, visitor has secret security clearance. The embassy switchboard number is 254-20-862 2000. Control officer is Ken Collins, home landline phone 254-20-418 0881 and cell phone 254?722-206734. Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the Holiday Inn at a cost of 130 U.S. dollars inclusive of taxes. Hotel Reservation Number is 556764. The hotel telephone number is 254-20-3740920/1 and the hotel facsimile number is 254-20-3748823. A driver from Express Travel, the Embassy?s contracted travel agent, will meet you after you exit the baggage claim area. If you do not see the driver, inquire at the Europcar/Express Travel Group counter. Cost for transport is 30 U.S. dollars per round trip. ¶2. Security assessment: - There is currently a travel warning in effect for Kenya, which states that 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 terrorism and crime by the Department of State. The RSO is required to brief all TDY visitors staying more than one week, as soon as possible after their arrival at post. - There is a high rate of street crime in downtown Nairobi, and reports of group attacks and muggings are on the rise throughout the country. Pickpockets and thieves carry out "snatch and run" crimes on city streets and near crowds. Visitors have found it safer not to carry valuables, but rather to store them in hotel safety deposit boxes or safe rooms. Walking alone or at night downtown is not recommended as attacks have taken place on public streets and parks. 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, 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. Carjackings are common in Nairobi and diplomatic vehicles and personnel are not immune to these attacks by armed thieves. Highway bandits are active on roads leading to the border areas. - 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. Internal travel: Travel via passenger train in Kenya is considered unsafe by the RSO, particularly during the rainy seasons. The trains and tracks lack routine maintenance and safety checks. Likewise, public ground transportation in Kenya, particularly after dark, should be avoided for safety and security reasons. Good bush vehicles (four-wheel drive),as well as normal rental cars (with or without drivers) are available, but must be paid for in cash or with a charge card. Travel by road is right-hand drive. It is inadvisable to travel at night outside well-traveled areas due to the lack of lighting, road signs, and warning signals on broken down vehicles. Many drivers exercise poor judgment and drive too fast. Traffic accidents are common. ¶6. Money matters: - For better exchange rates, it is recommended that money changing/accommodation exchange be undertaken through our contracted bank, the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA). CBA has branches in the US Embassy building and the USAID building. CBA?s hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM; Friday, 9 AM to 1 PM. For TDYers, CBA will cash up to 500 US dollars per day and will change cash, traveler?s checks or personal checks. If you are using personal checks, an exchange application form must be filled in and approved by the Financial Management Officer prior to visiting the bank. Your control officer will provide the form or you may pick up a copy in the Financial Management Center. Certain ATM machines in town will accept US ATM and credit cards. - 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 80 shillings to the US dollar. ¶7. General: - AEA Morale Store: TDY membership in the American Employees Association (AEA) is available for five U.S. dollars per week or one dollar per day. The AEA Morale Store offers a limited supply of liquor, soda, beer, snacks, Embassy souvenirs, and Kenyan crafts. All products are sold in U.S. dollars. Cash and travelers checks are accepted; no personal checks are accepted. - APO Use: TDY personnel wishing to use the APO are required to present a copy of their TDY/leave orders to the APO supervisor. Military members must also produce a valid ID card. ¶8. 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. ¶9. Departure: Each person departing Kenya (regardless of age or type of passport) must pay a 20 U.S. dollar departure tax payable in Kenya shillings or U.S. dollars, unless it has been included in the price of your ticket. Further, there is 500 Kenya shilling (approximate) departure tax imposed on all domestic flights. BELLAMY.