Kenya

Since October 2026, violence in the Ethiopian town of Moyale has affected the border area, including on the Kenyan side. There have been reports of stray gunfire, unexploded ordnance and projectiles landing in and up to 3km around the Kenyan town of Moyale, resulting in fatalities and injuries. There have also been reports of disruption at the Moyale border crossing. The security situation remains unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning.

If crossing the Kenya-Ethiopia border at Moyale, stay alert to developments and follow the instructions of local authorities. Vehicles crossing the Kenya-Ethiopia border at Moyale should stay on the A2 road and travel directly to Marsabit before breaking your journey.

Check FCDO Travel Advice for Ethiopia before crossing the border.

FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Moyale Town and up to 5km around it, including to the border with Ethiopia. Updated information about the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Violence in the Ethiopian town of Moyale (October 2026) has affected the border area. There have been reports of stray gunfire on the Kenyan side of the border and disruption at the Moyale border crossing. Vehicles crossing the Kenya-Ethiopia border at Moyale should stay on the A2 road and travel directly to Marsabit before breaking your journey, rather than staying at the rest house in Sololo.

Check FCDO Travel Advice for Ethiopia before crossing the border.

Updated information about the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

The Government of Kenya has confirmed cases of Ebola. Public health measures are in place, including contact tracing, surveillance, border screening and quarantine for people considered at risk.

Travellers arriving in Kenya, particularly those coming from Uganda, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), may be subject to enhanced health screening measures due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak centred in the DRC. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The Kenyan authorities provide public health information through the Jali Health Chatbot. To access the service, save +(254) 700 719 719 to your phone and send “Hello” by Whatsapp to access automated health information and guidance. This is not a staffed helpline.

Updated information about Ebola screening, with details of how to access automated health information and guidance from the Kenyan authorities.

Reconsider travel to Kenya due to risk of health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease for Kenya.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

Please see our section on Travel from Ebola-Impacted or Elevated Risk Countries section. Medical services in Kenya are limited. They are often unavailable in rural areas. Medical facilities in Kenya often lack sufficient medicine and equipment. Except for a few private medical facilities based in the large urban centers with enhanced capability, many health issues may require medical evacuation at your own expense. Medical facilities will usually deny service if payment is not made upfront.

Some schools, substance abuse centers, and other facilities claim to rehabilitate people, but operate with little or no government supervision. Physical and emotional abuse is common in these places. Residents, including Americans, have been held in these facilities against their will.

Americans or residents who lure individuals to Kenya under false pretenses or forcibly place Americans into such rehabilitation facilities may be subject to legal repercussions in the United States.

Crime

Violent crime can occur at any time. Violent crimes include armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, sexual assault, and kidnapping for ransom. Petty crime is common. Criminal fraud targeting Americans is a concern.

• Local police often are unable to respond effectively to crimes.
• Crimes like robbery are common. They are often committed by individuals riding motorcycles.
• Solo travelers in particular should exercise caution. Some Americans have been victims of sexual assault in bars and resorts/hotels.
• Petty crimes often occur in crowded areas or when people are distracted.
• Schemes to defraud investors are common. Americans often fall victim to schemes involving transactions in gold and other high-value commodities. Kenyan authorities are unlikely to assist Americans in recovering losses.
• Property disputes are common in Kenya. Americans who have bought land, churches, and businesses have lost their investments or been pushed off the property by locals who claim the land or business.

Kidnapping

Terrorists, criminal gangs, and other armed groups kidnap for ransom. Local law enforcement officials are not equipped or trained to handle the threat of kidnapping.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Terrorists plot kidnappings, bombings, grenade attacks, armed assaults, suicide attacks, and other action in Kenya. Terrorists attack without warning. They have targeted:

• Kenyan and foreign government buildings
• tourist locations
• transportation hubs
• hotels and resorts
• markets and shopping malls
• places of worship

Unrest

Cross-border incursions occur along the border with Ethiopia.

Demonstrations, strikes, and other political and economic protests are common. They can turn violent.

Protests often block key intersections and highways, resulting in widespread traffic jams. Protestors have also attacked vehicles containing Americans, including motorcycle taxis and safari vehicles.

Violence during protests has occurred across Kenya. This includes rock-throwing by protesters and use of deadly force by police. Violent protests are most common in Nairobi and in western Kenya.

Other – Traffic safety

Automobile accidents are one of the main causes of injury and death of Americans in Kenya. Major highways between Nairobi and Nakuru and Nairobi and Mombasa are only two lanes, and drivers frequently pass with little attention to oncoming traffic. Tourists, who may not always use seatbelts, have also been seriously injured or killed in safari vehicle accidents.

Do Not Travel to the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to risk of crime and kidnapping.

Do Not Travel to the counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Tana River (except Tsavo National Park), Kilifi (north of highway C103), and coastal areas north of Malindi, due to risk of kidnapping and terrorism.

Do Not Travel to West Pokot County and western Turkana County due to risk of crime.

Do Not Travel to Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the border with Ethiopia due to risk of unrest.

Kenianische Reisekrankenversicherung bei eTA-Beantragung

Seit Anfang Oktober 2026 ist bei Beantragung der elektronischen Einreisegenehmigung „eTA“ (siehe Einreise und Zoll) eine kostenpflichtige kenianische Reisekrankenversicherung abzuschließen. Der Abschluss der Versicherung ist online in den eTA-Antragsvorgang integriert. Reisekrankenversicherungen anderer Anbieter werden nicht akzeptiert. Bereits erteilte eTA behalten ihre Gültigkeit; bei Einreise ist jedenfalls eine kenianische Versicherung vorzulegen, selbst wenn das eTA schon zuvor beantragt wurde. Weitere Hinweise erteilen die kenianischen Behörden.

Ebolafieber

Am 15. Mai 2026 wurde in der Demokratischen Republik Kongo ein Ebolafieber-Ausbruch mit dem Bundibugyo-Ebolavirus gemeldet. Die WHO erklärte den Ausbruch am 17. Mai 2026 zur gesundheitlichen Notlage von internationaler Tragweite.

Anfang Oktober wurde erstmals ein aus der Demokratischen Republik Kongo importierter Ebolafieber-Fall in Kenia bekannt. Neuansteckungen erfolgten bislang nur im Rahmen der engen Kontaktpersonen dieses Falls. Die kenianischen Behörden haben die Vorsichtsmaßnahmen intensiviert und umfangreiche Rückverfolgungs- und Quarantänemaßnahmen eingeleitet.

Reisende sollten sich nach Aufenthalten in Kenia vor Weiterreise in andere Staaten bei den dort zuständigen Stellen erkundigen, ob und ggf. unter welchen Auflagen (z.B. verstärkte gesundheitstechnische Kontrollen oder Quarantäne) die Einreise ins Zielland möglich ist.

• Halten Sie sich streng an die Auflagen der Behörden.
• Sehen Sie von nicht notwendigen Besuchen in Krankenhäusern und Gesundheitseinrichtungen, der Teilnahme an Beerdigungen und dem Aufenthalt in großen Menschenmengen ab.
• Meiden Sie jeden Kontakt mit Erkrankten und Verdachtsfällen sowie deren Körperflüssigkeiten.
• Berühren Sie keine lebendigen und toten Wildtiere und verzehren Sie keine Wildtierprodukte.
• Melden Sie sich bei entsprechenden Symptomen bis zu 21 Tage nach Aufenthalt in Kenia telefonisch bei einem ärztlichen Dienst, um das weitere Vorgehen zu besprechen.

El Niño Phänomen

Aufgrund des Wetterphänomens El Niño wird für Kenia für die Monate Oktober bis Dezember eine stärkere Regensaison vorhergesagt.

Durch heftige Regenfälle kann es zu Überschwemmungen, Erdrutschen und Schlammlawinen, Dammbrüchen sowie hohen Pegelständen in Flüssen kommen; zudem muss mit plötzlich auftretenden Fluten gerechnet werden.

Weitere Informationen sind erhältlich beim Kenya Meteorological Department und auch auf dessen Facebook-Seite.

• Seien Sie in betroffenen Regionen besonders umsichtig und führen stets funktionsfähige mobile Kommunikation mit sich.
• Meiden Sie gesperrte bzw. überflutete Straßen.
• Halten Sie sich bei heraufziehendem Regen nicht in der Nähe von Bächen, Flüssen und Böschungen/Hängen auf.
• Füllen Sie Ihre Vorräte mit Frischwasser und Lebensmitteln auf, so dass Sie für einige Tage versorgt sind.
• Beachten Sie stets Verbote, Hinweisschilder und Warnungen sowie die Anweisungen der lokalen Behörden.

Reconsider travel in Kenya due to risk of health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Health

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Please see our section on Travel from Ebola-Impacted or Elevated Risk Countries section.

Medical services in Kenya are limited. They are often unavailable in rural areas. Medical facilities in Kenya often lack sufficient medicine and equipment. Except for a few private medical facilities based in the large urban centers with enhanced capability, many health issues may require medical evacuation at your expense. Medical facilities will usually deny service if payment is not made upfront.

Some schools, substance abuse centers, and other facilities claim to rehabilitate people, but operate with little or no government supervision. Physical and emotional abuse is common in these places. Residents, including Americans, have been held in these facilities against their will.

Americans or residents who lure individuals to Kenya under false pretenses or forcibly place Americans into such rehabilitation facilities may be subject to legal repercussions in the United States.

Crime

Violent crime can occur at any time. Violent crimes include armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, sexual assault, and kidnapping for ransom. Petty crime is common. Criminal fraud targeting Americans is a concern.

• Local police often are unable to respond effectively to crimes.
• Crimes like robbery are common. They are often committed by individuals riding motorcycles.
• Solo travelers in particular should exercise caution. Some Americans have been victims of sexual assault in bars and resorts/hotels.
• Petty crimes often occur in crowded areas or when people are distracted.
• Schemes to defraud investors are common. Americans often fall victim to schemes involving transactions in gold and other high-value commodities. Kenyan authorities are unlikely to assist Americans in recovering losses.
• Property disputes are common in Kenya. Americans who have bought land, churches, and businesses have lost their investments or been pushed off the property by locals who claim the land or business.

Kidnapping

Terrorists, criminal gangs, and other armed groups kidnap for ransom. Local law enforcement officials are not equipped or trained to handle the threat of kidnapping.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Terrorists plot kidnappings, bombings, grenade attacks, armed assaults, suicide attacks, and other action in Kenya. Terrorists attack without warning. They have targeted:

• Kenyan and foreign government buildings
• tourist locations
• transportation hubs
• hotels and resorts
• markets and shopping malls
• places of worship

Unrest

Cross-border incursions occur along the border with Ethiopia.

Demonstrations, strikes, and other political and economic protests are common. They can turn violent.

Protests often block key intersections and highways, resulting in widespread traffic jams. Protestors have also attacked vehicles containing Americans, including motorcycle taxis and safari vehicles.

Violence during protests has occurred across Kenya. This includes rock-throwing by protesters and use of deadly force by police. Violent protests are most common in Nairobi and in western Kenya.

Other – Traffic safety

Automobile accidents are one of the main causes of injury and death of Americans in Kenya. Major highways between Nairobi and Nakuru and Nairobi and Mombasa are only two lanes, and drivers frequently pass with little attention to oncoming traffic. Tourists, who may not always use seatbelts, have also been seriously injured or killed in safari vehicle accidents.

Do Not Travel to the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to risk of crime and kidnapping.

Do Not Travel to the counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Tana River (except Tsavo National Park), Kilifi (north of highway C103), and coastal areas north of Malindi, due to risk of kidnapping and terrorism.

Do Not Travel to West Pokot County and western Turkana County due to risk of crime.

Do Not Travel to (Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles 50 kilometers) of the border with Ethiopia due to risk of unrest.