COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MARIE-CLAIRE SOW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002203

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTR
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MARIE-CLAIRE SOW

Ref: Email May 17th 2006


1. USAID grants country clearance for the visit of
Marie-Claire Sow, Senior Acquisition & Assistance
Specialist from May 24th to 26th, 2006 to perform
Acquisition and Assistance services for USAID/Uganda.
USAID switchboard number is 254-2-8622000 and after-
hour telephone number is 254-2-856-2825. Control
officer is Mr. Michael Rossman, telephone number
extension 2318 and home phone 254-20-581-480. A driver
from Express Travel, the embassy 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 20 U.S.
dollars per round trip.


2. Security Assessment

Nairobi is designated a critical threat post 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.

Street crime: 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.

Road safety/automobile travel: While traveling in
vehicles, doors should be kept locked and windows
rolled up. Carjacking is 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.

Firearms: The Government of Kenya (and the
mission firearms policy) prohibits 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.


5. Internal travel: Travel via passenger train in
Kenya is unsafe, 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. Use of

NAIROBI 00002203 002 OF 002


seat belts is mandatory.


6. General: 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 acceptable; no personal checks are acceptable.
Accommodation exchange facilities are available upon
presentation of a copy of official TDY orders. The
current exchange rate is approximately 78 Kenya
shillings to the U.S. dollar. 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.

7.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. Important- Passports must be valid or at least 6
months from date of arrival. Other nationalities need
to check with Mission or the Kenyan Embassy regarding
requirements. Evidence of yellow fever immunization is
usually requested upon entry to Kenya.


8. 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 a 300 Kenya shilling
departure tax imposed on all domestic flights.

BELLAMY