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Security
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An alarming number of new arrivals have to deal with a
robbery
in their first day or two in Nairobi, before they've adjusted to the city's pace and ways. Despite the fact that it usually carries armed undercover police, a lot of people get ripped off within an hour of arriving on the
#34 bus
from the airport. Victims get distracted in conversation or jostled, or have their hands grabbed and shaken by strangers. It's no joke and the best way to avoid unwanted attention is to take exaggerated care of your valuables: stash away cameras, wristwatches and jewellery; tuck your money belt inside your trousers/skirt; keep nothing of value in breast-pockets; and ensure that luggage zips and pockets are closed before you walk out into the main arrivals hall. If anything does start to happen on the bus, make a lot of noise - it's no time to be shy. Sometimes it's enough just to clock the thieves - often young - and let them know you've seen them, which, surprisingly enough, usually stops them, and you can all have a (nervous) laugh.
Once in town, it helps to memorize any route you're walking, as lost-looking tourists are the easiest target of all. Keep your hands out of reach and be - rationally - suspicious of everyone until you've caught your breath. It doesn't take long to get a little streetwise. Every rural Kenyan coming to the city for the first time goes through exactly the same process, and many are considerably "greener" than you, having never been in a city before. Dressing like a local and not carrying a bag will help you avoid ninety percent of unwanted approaches. Apart from the occasional petty thieving, the younger ubiquitous glue-sniffing street children are generally no problem. Giving food is better for them than money, but some charitable organizations advise against hand-outs of any kind as they might encourage others onto the street. However, be aware of the muck-chuckers amongst them who will carry out their muck-chucking threats if you don't give them some money - a few shillings is usually enough to keep yourself clean. More serious is the number of teenagers amongst them, some as old as 18, with group muggings by these street boys not unheard of, so try, particularly at night, to avoid them. It's always a good idea to carry a small amount of money with you in case you do find yourself in a difficult situation and have to negotiate your way out of trouble. A helpful tactic is to act friendly and unafraid, but to keep walking to avoid being surrounded, and to hopefully reach a safer area where there might be more witnesses or a few policemen. Be aware of the fact that certain areas have acquired local notoriety and the carrying of knives and guns is on the increase. Most areas are fine in daylight, but if you're walking at night within the city centre be extra vigilant and don't wander outside the commercial district unless you're really clued in. If you head out from the centre to poorer districts there seems to be less of a threat. If you're driving , keep the windows rolled up after dark, especially at traffic lights. Be especially wary in the following areas, which are all parts of the city where tourist pickings are fairly rich - and there are always a few who haven't read a guidebook: River Road district , which in practical terms means anything east of Moi Avenue, and indeed sometimes including the avenue, has become something of a no go area for tourists at night. Even locals avoid walking there and taxi drivers are quite often reluctant to venture into certain parts of the district. Uhuru Highway, Uhuru and Central parks are fine during the day but prime muggers' territory at night, with occasional shootings. The area west of Uhuru Highway from the Serena Hotel to the Youth Hostel is unsafe at night. The area near the Museum and Casino is extremely dangerous at night. By day, the area between Kenyatta Avenue and University Way , especially around the City Market , is prone to con-merchants and occasional snatch-and-run robberies.
All
main bus
and
matatu stations
. These chaotic places are the ideal place for pickpockets and snatch-and-run robberies. Do not accept food, drinks, sweets or cigarettes from strangers, as doping is common. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Kenya,
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