Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NAIROBI1622
2007-04-13 07:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CHANTAL

Tags:  OTRA AO KE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #1622/01 1030722
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130722Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0090
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8932
UNCLAS NAIROBI 001622 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA AO KE
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CHANTAL
NINTERETSE, USAID/OFDA PROGRAM ASSISTANT

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001622

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA AO KE
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR CHANTAL
NINTERETSE, USAID/OFDA PROGRAM ASSISTANT


1. Embassy grants country clearance to Kenya for
the visit of USAID/OFDA Program Assistant, Chantal
Ninteretse from o/a April 21 - 29, 2007 to consult
on humanitarian issues with the OFDA regional
office and consult on administrative issues with
the OFDA Administrative Officer.


2. Country clearance is granted subject to the actual
security situation at the time of proposed travel. Per
reftel. The embassy switchboard number is 254-20-363-
6000 and the after-hours number is 254-20-363-6170.
Control officer is Jack Myer, Office telephone 254-20-
8622000 ext: 2711; and cell phone 254-722-510540.


3. Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the
Mayfair Hotel at a cost of U.S.Dollars 149.00 inclusive
of taxes. The hotel telephone number is 254-20-
3740920, hotel facsimile number is 254-20-3748823,
under reference number: 602076. 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 Dollars 40.00 round
trip.


4. ICASS TDY charges: Each visitor, regardless of
length of stay, must bring/forward fiscal data to pay
for direct costs of the visit. Each agency,
organization or visiting delegation will be charged for
the actual costs attributed to its visit. Direct
charge costs include, but are not limited to: airport
transportation, accommodations, American and LES staff
overtime (for such services as airport expediting,
control room staffing, cashier services, drivers),long
distance telephone calls, cell phone rentals and cost
of actual calls, travel and per diem costs for American
or LES staff who accompany the TDY employee on field
travel, rental of vehicles and equipment, gasoline and
other vehicle maintenance costs, office supplies, cost
of goods procured, departure tax and other airport
fees. Post will not provide service if fiscal data is
not provided for the direct charges.


5. For TDYers remaining at post over 30 days, there is
a charge for ICASS support services. This charge is
for the following ICASS services: Basic Package, CLO
and Health Services. The charge per month is
approximately $353. Agencies will not be billed until
the accumulated invoice cost for TDY support exceeds
U.S. Dollars 2,500 for the fiscal year. If your
sponsoring agency is not signed up for ICASS services

at post, please be prepared to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding for ICASS support services upon arrival.


6. The agency should provide post with a written
communication, generated by the traveler?s
headquarters, that confirms the agency will pay ICASS
charges for the TDYer, provides the agency ICASS
billing code to which the TDY support charges should be
applied, and authorizes the traveler to sign the ICASS
invoice generated by the TDY module. Where travel is
urgent, the TDYer should bring this documentation with
him/her to ensure there are no interruptions in the
provision of service. Post will not provide any
service to a TDYer staying in excess of thirty days
without provision of this documentation before day 31
of the TDY. If you have a sponsoring agency at post,
please request that they fill out a TDY introductory
memo on your behalf so that it is easier to receive the
services you need from the embassy's ICASS service
provider. The Medical Unit cannot provide services
without the introductory memo with fiscal data.


7. Policy for TDYs of 30 days or more: Effective
January 1, 2005, American personnel traveling to post
on TDY assignments of 30 days or more must have
completed mandatory personal security training. The
four-day course, "Serving Abroad for Families &
Employees (S.A.F.E.)," is available at FSI, or agencies
can apply to DS to provide their own equivalent
security training. In the country clearance request
cable, agencies must provide certification that
training for covered employees will be completed prior
to travel. For training schedules at FSI contact the
Registrar?s Office at 703-302-7143; for the training
syllabus contact Dr. Patricia Schofield at 703-302-

7267. For other agency self-certification, contact
DS/T William Armor at 703-205-2816.


8. Security assessment:


- There is currently a travel warning in effect for
Kenya, whih 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.


9. 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.


10. 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.


11. 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.


12. Internal travel:

- Due to the dangerous driving conditions in Nairobi
and in Kenya in general, post policy now prohibits
TDYers from driving USG or rental vehicles. 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 254-20-
712-2565, 254-20-712-205 or 254-20-712-0344; cell
phone numbers are 254-722-711001, 254-722-714246 or
254-733-735499.


13. 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 U.S. 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 69
shillings to the U.S. dollar.


14. 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.

- TDY travelers to Nairobi can be given the option to
connect to their State Department OpenNet mailbox.
Please ask your system administrator for the domain
name and the IP address/name of your organization?s
mail server and confirmation that remote access of your
mailbox is possible. Please give our systems office
advance notice of the need for remote connection by
sending an e-mail with the above information to
iscnairobi@state.gov.


15. 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 if traveling on a non-diplomatic passport,
or gratis if traveling with a diplomatic passport),but
lines may be long and processing time slow. Evidence
of yellow fever immunization is usually requested upon
entry to Kenya.


16. 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.

RANNEBERGER