COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MELISSA LEDESMA-LEESE

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001224

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR CA/FPP - PASS TO MELISSA LEDESMA-LEESE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CA CMGT KFRD OTRA KE
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MELISSA LEDESMA-LEESE

REF: A. STATE 27459



1. Embassy Nairobi grants country clearance and welcomes
Melissa Ledesma-Leese, arriving April 26 and departing April 28,

2007. Country clearance is granted subject to the actual security
situation at the time of proposed travel. The embassy switchboard
number is 254-20-363-6000 and the after-hours number is
254-20-363-6170. Point of Contact is Etienne LeBailly, work
International Voice Gateway (IVG) telephone number 8-871-6020, cell
phone 254 724-253-181.


2. Security Assessment:
- There is currently a travel warning in effect for Kenya, which
states that "American Citizens should evaluate their personal
security in light of continuing terrorist threats and the limited
ability of the Kenyan authorities to detect and deter such acts."
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. All TDY visitors
who will be in Kenya for more than 2 weeks are required to attend a
security briefing by the RSO at the regularly scheduled security
briefing at 9:00 a.m. on Thursdays. Personnel on official USG
business are required to stay in RSO approved hotels. You may
obtain the list from your sponsoring office.

- Violent crime in Nairobi is sharply rising. Carjacking, in order
to commit an armed robbery, is the most common form of crime in
Nairobi. In virtually every instance, carjackers use weapons to rob
and carjack their victims. Most victims, if they are completely
cooperative, are usually released unharmed, with their vehicles.
However, victims are sometimes tied up and put in the back seat or
trunk of their own car. Criminals who commit these crimes will not
hesitate to shoot a victim who is the least bit uncooperative, or
may appear to hesitate before complying with their assailant. The
RSO recommends that if confronted with a criminal incident, victims
acquiesce immediately and quietly. Put your hands where they can be
seen and avert your eyes. Though this does not guarantee your
personal safety it is more likely you will survive the incident.

- Street crime is particularly bad in downtown Nairobi and Uhuru
Park and mission personnel are strongly urged to avoid the downtown
area after dark. Throughout the country reports of group attacks
and muggings are on the rise. Pickpockets and thieves carry out
"snatch and run" crimes on city streets and near crowds. Large
public functions are particularly vulnerable to rings of organized
thieves. Visitors have found it safer not to carry valuables, but
rather to store them in hotel safety deposit boxes or in room safes.
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, handbags on the backs of chairs, 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 at all times. Highway bandits are active on roads
leading to the border areas and some areas in the northeastern
portion of the country require special RSO approval prior to travel.


- 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.
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:
- Due to the dangerous driving conditions in Nairobi and in Kenya in
general, post policy prohibits TDY'ers from driving USG or rental
vehicles. Waivers may be granted for operational reasons if
approved by the RSO and the Front Office. If riding with others or
hiring a driver, note that 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.
Public ground transportation in Kenya, particularly after dark,
should be avoided for safety and security reasons. 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.

- GSO has contracted with Jim Cab Services to provide additional
transportation services for the mission. In the absence of special
arrangements for use of official vehicles, TDYers and visitors will
be expected to use this service for their transportation
requirements. Because TDY transportation is reimbursed as part of
the individual's travel expenses, TDYers will pay for their
transportation directly to Jim Cab when the services are rendered.
Landline numbers for Jim Cab are 712-2565, 712-1205 or 712-0344;
cell phone numbers are 0722-711001, 0722-714246 or 0733-735499.
Never get into any taxi that has anyone other than the driver in it
as carjackers sometimes use taxis to carjack other vehicles.


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 12 noon and 1 PM to 3 PM; Friday, 9 AM to
12 noon. For TDYers, CBA will cash up to 500 US dollars per day and
will change cash or 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 70 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.
SLUTZ