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.