HEALTH
Requirements
Everyone
entering Kenya must be in possession of
a valid International Certificate of Vaccination
against yellow fever. It is imperative that
you obtain malaria prophylactics before
entering Kenya. When purchasing these, please
tell your doctor or pharmacist that you
intend visiting Kenya. It is important to
note that the Kenyan authorities have banned
the use of chloroquine combinations as prophylaxis,
and instead recommend the use of either
mefloquine (Lariam/Mefliam) or doxycycline.
Start your course at least one week before
entering Kenya and continue taking the pills
for six weeks after leaving the country.
If you suffer from side effects, try taking
your malaria prophylactics at night, after
dinner. Precautionary measures that you
can take to prevent contact with mosquitoes
are: sleeping under a bed net or in room/tent
with mosquito proofing (remember to keep
the flaps zipped at all times), spraying
your accommodation with insecticide, making
use of a mosquito repelling lotion or stick
and wearing long sleeve clothes, trousers
and socks when outside at night. Immunisation
against typhoid, tetanus, tuberculosis,
polio, & meningococcal meningitis are
recommended.
Medical Services
Medical
services in Kenya are good in urban areas
and in the vicinity of game parks and beaches,
but are limited elsewhere. Doctors and hospitals
often require immediate cash payment, but
usually accept major credit cards. It is
advisable to secure medical cover on your
medical insurance before arriving in the
country. Note that major hotels have contracts
with physicians and dentists. Visitors are
however advised to bring along supplies
of specialised medication they may require.
Otherwise, medicine may be purchased at
pharmacies and emergency pharmacies are
open all night.
Travel Tips
Safety
Travel in Kenya is generally entirely safe,
however, there are the occasional regional
ethnic skirmishes. You are advised to remain
informed as to the situation in areas to
which you plan to travel, particularly remote
parts and borders. Ugandan, Somalian and
Sudanese shifta (bandits) rove their borders
with Kenya. Violent cross-border attacks
and cattle raids occur, so it is best to
avoid the border regions. Border crossings
into Somalia and Sudan are strongly discouraged.
Petty crime and theft occurs in some of
the urban areas, so be vigilant and keep
valuables concealed. Security within the
parks is quite good, but never leave possessions
unattended. It is always better to travel
in a large group.
Water
While water in major towns is chlorinated
and relatively safe to drink, there are
frequent breakdowns and this can lead to
mild to serious abdominal upsets for first
time African travellers. Rather stick to
sealed bottled water, which is available
from most hotels and lodges, and which is
highly advised for the first few weeks of
your stay. Do not use ice cubes or eat rare
meat, raw seafood or dairy products. Avoid
roadside stands and street vendors and only
eat well-cooked foods while they are still
hot and fruits that can be peeled without
contamination.
