I found this topic by searching the web, and I must admit that I was surprised to see such talk of security and crime. Me and my partner are planning a drive from London to Mount Kenya in the next 1-2 years, and everything I've read about Kenya so far on the web suggests that security is not as big a problem now as it has been in the last few years. I know that this forum is more about Kenyan business and economy (and I've actually learnt quite a bit surfing the forums!), but I'd welcome honest opinions of security problems we might face (outside of the things we know to do already, like hide valuables etc. etc).

Thanks in advance,

Paul

Welcome to Mambogani, pscrivs!

Topic split from here.

Now, don't worry about security in Kenya. I think you're going to find that there's plenty of other hotspots along the way, before you even get to Kenya.

Even in Kenya, its mainly Nairobi where you may have to be more security conscious than elsewhere. Other than that, 1-2 yrs is a long time away so you should keep your eyes peeled nearer the time.

If you're driving from London to Kenya I wouldn't worry too much, because by the time you get to Kenya you'll be a hardened traveller and know what to look out for. You'll not come across security problems in Kenya that you won't have already observed in other parts of your journey. It is quite rare at any rate for criminals to attack obvious tourists in a vehicle in remote areas, simply because the very remoteness means they'll be tracked down quickly and suffer quite serious consequences. In remote areas, where education is at a lowish standard, there is quite a fear of consequences of attacking foreigners so overtly. It is thus in the urban areas that you need to be more cautious, although caution is a good thing for any traveller anywhere to have if they're outside of their familiar territory.

Generally speaking, you'll end up reaching Kenya by driving from Ethiopia southwards, unless you've got some other crazed route in mind involving the Congo or Central African Republic. Avoid. I have driven the Ethiopian route a few times myself, and whilst it is a fairly serious undertaking in remote territory from Moyale (Ethiopian border) to Mt Kenya it is thoroughly rewarding, and I can assure you that you'll never forget it. Spectacular in fact.

Like any place, Kenya does have its security problems. The road from Moyale south to Isiolo is very remote desert country and you'll no doubt have a vehicle that can handle it. You have to travel in armed convoy anyway south from the border, and these armed convoys are not attacked. There are security checkpoints every 70km or so, and they record your passage, si if you don't show at the next one in reasonable time, they come looking for you. That said, since everyone travels in the armed convoy along that particular road, the bandits know when the convoy comes, and there is a school of thought that if you have a tough vehicle, it makes equal sense to floor it at 100km/h over the rough track for three hours at an unexpected time, rather than chug along in the dust behind 40 trucks for 13 hours. Personally I always opted for the latter option without consequences, but your vehicle does have to be in good nick, because that road is a very rough rock track. You'll need to hone your offroad driving skills somewhat to factor in the concept of speed! The most dangerous stretches however are not bad road, and you can travel quickly - these are the first 50km along the Kenya/Ethiopia border immediately south of Moyale, and the last 50km north of the settlement Archers Post under a huge mountain. Most travellers do Moyale-Marsabit in one day, then Marsabit to Samburu/Shaba/Buffalo Springs the next, although it is perfectly possible to do Marsabit-Nairobi in one long day or Moyale-Nairobi in two long days.

Most people I know who do this trip (there are two or three a month doing this) head south through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia and South. There are other routes south through Egypt and Sudan to Ethiopia, and I've also heard people coming south through Algeria, although I'd recommend the 400km beach drive down the Mauritanian coast above the trans-Algerian sand track. The Egypt route through Wadi Haifa in Sudan is not very difficult, but is basically a straight sand drive and quite dull from what I understand. Ethiopia deserves a good couple of months as it is utterly spectacular if you have your own vehicle.

A good option when you're heading south into Kenya from Ethiopia is to hook up with people doing a similar thing while you're in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. The idea is that you arrange to meet in Moyale (the border town) at a certain date, and then travel in convoy yourself on the Moyale-Isiolo stretch. You'll find it fairly easy to track people like this down in the Merkata area in Addis Ababa, or places like Bahar Dar on Lake Tana, where there is a message board, or alternatively in the beautiful lake town of Arba Minch. You may end up waiting several weeks for like minded travellers in Arba Minch. One final alternatively is that you can hang around in Moyale a couple of days - might be a couple of weeks mind you, and its a bit of a dive. I'd rely on Addis, or go with the public armed truck convoy, or go it alone and fast.

Having driven this far however, it does beg the question why stop in Kenya, because its only at this point that the road gets decent after a long drive from Morocco! The hurried can get to Cape Town from Nairobi in a week of straight driving on fast tarmac. It would be worth your while at least getting into Tanzania as well, especially if your vehcile is on a carnet, if not Malawi if you've come that far.

Good luck, definitely do it, and enjoy.

With all due respect, the people who believe you shouldn't have significant security concerns are not all there! I am currently a protection specialist working in the United States, but spent 11 years in Kenya and Tanzania. I was even at the U.S. Consulate in Nairobi the day before the bombings in '98. I have had friends who were kidnapped, and have personally had situations with everyone from street thugs to bandits and even poachers. Believe it or not, I am not jaded because of these experiences. I'm just more aware and experienced than most of your bloggers. The truth is, what I'm about to say is not meant to scare you but it is meant to protect you. Your trip will be a wonderful journey full of memorable and positive experiences. But as far as Kenya is concerned, take care to observe common sense practices such as not wearing flashy pieces of jewelry or having opened or highly visible luggage pieces in the vehicle. If you have a way to do so, it would be wise of you to travel in convoy with other vehicles or to hire a security escort from the northern Kenyan border to Nairobi. The areas north of Nairobi are infamous for bandits who use all sorts of ploys and devices to prey upon travelers. Make sure you have adequate petrol and oil at every point of the journey. Once you get to within about 250 kilometers of Nairobi, you should pick up the pace (while driving safely) as this is one of the more perilous areas on your journey in Kenya. In Nairobi, you will be fairly secure as long as you stay away from the dodgy less developed areas of the city and don't flash a lot of cash or jewelry. Keep small amounts of cash on you at a time, and if you choose to give change to a child or a begger (which I don't suggest), pull out a bit of change or a single bill as opposed to a wad of money. Recommended hotels include the Norfolk Hotel or the Intercontinental Nairobi. Enjoy your visit. It really is a beautiful country. But be aware of your surroundings and have fun.

there is no danger 250km out from Nairobi that justifies it being labelled as 'one of the more perilous areas on your journey in Kenya'. Road safety, if that is what is being implied, is always something to be aware of in Kenya, but there are no security concerns. Out in Northern Kenya, sure, you should be checking with the local police and you'll likely be travelling in convoy anyway from Moyale down to Marsabit. Elsewhere in the north, if you check in with the tourist police, you will inevitably have to take their offer of an escort - which will give you some security but you will have to pay for this.