(Posted 20th October 2026)
The US State Department has urged Americans to reconsider travel to Kenya, raising its advisory level amid concerns over health risks, terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest.
The United States has raised its travel advisory for Kenya to Level 3, urging American citizens to reconsider travel to the East African country over heightened security and health concerns.
The Department of State renewed its Travel Advisory for Kenya on October, 19th 2026.
Advisory summary was updated. The level was changed from Level 2 to Level 3 due to health risks.
Travel Advisory – Kenya
Level 3 – Reconsider Travel
C – Crime
K – Kidnapping
T – Terrorism
U – Unrest
H – Health
O – Other
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.
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.
Advisory summary
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.
It was also noted that for certain parts of Kenya a level 4 travel advisory exists, hidden further down the main advisory of yesterday, 19th of October, reading as follows:
Risks in specific areas
Level: 4 – Do not travel
Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera
Do Not Travel for any reason to the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to risk of crime and kidnapping.
Violent crime, including armed carjacking and kidnapping for ransom, may occur in these neighborhoods.
Level 4 – Do Not Travel
Counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Tana River (except Tsavo National Park), Kilifi (north of highway C103), and coastal areas north of Malindi
Do Not Travel for any reason 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.
Al-Shabaab is active in these areas. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity. Terrorists, criminal gangs, and other armed groups kidnap for ransom.
Level 4 – Do Not Travel
West Pokot County and western Turkana County
Do Not Travel for any reason to West Pokot County and western Turkana County due to risk of crime.
Armed bandits are active in these areas. Violent crime can occur at any time. Local police often are unable to respond effectively to crimes.
Level 4 – Do Not Travel
Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the border with Ethiopia
Do Not Travel for any reason to Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the border with Ethiopia due to risk of unrest.
These areas are prone to cross-border incursions from Ethiopia. Violence and armed conflict may occur at any time.
If you decide to travel to Kenya:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. government. Enrolling helps the U.S. government contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
American tourists are key to maintaining Kenya’s standing in the safari destination rankings and with level three travel advisory are many US insurance companies unwilling to underwrite travel insurance. It will be little consolation that the now mandatory travel insurance forced upon travelers before entering Kenya now exists as most American tourists only trust their own insurance companies over performance and swift settlements.
