COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA

UNCLAS NAIROBI 003153

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA AO KE
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA
FIELD OFFICER, RONALD E. LIBBY TO NAIROBI, KENYA.



1. USAID grants country clearance for USAID/DCHA/OFDA
Field Officer, Ronald E. Libby to travel to Nairobi,
Kenya o/a July 27, 2006 through August 2, 2006.


2. The purpose of travel is to debrief the OFDA/ECARO
after 3 months in Ethiopia.


3. Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the
Norfolk Hotel at a rate of U.S. Dollars 150.00
inclusive of taxes. Hotel telephone number is: 250900;
facsimile number is 254-20-250200; Reference number is

90849.


4. The USAID switchboard number is 254-20-8622000 and
after-hour telephone number is 254-20-8562825. Control
Officer is Jack Myer, tel: 254-20-8622711; mobile phone
254-722-510540.


5. Security Assessment

Nairobi is designated a critical crime 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. 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. Accidents
are also frequent. Use of seat belts is mandatory.

- 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.


6. 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.


7. 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 (4) 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. Embassy Nairobi
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.


8. 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
(4-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
seat belts is mandatory.


9. 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 72 Kenya
Shillings (KSH) 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.


10. Entry Requirements: A visa is required. 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 may be requested upon entry
to Kenya.


11. Departure: Each person departing Kenya
(regardless of age or type of passport) must pay a 40
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 200 Kenya
Shillings departure tax imposed on all domestic
flights. ROWE