- The US State Department elevated Kenya's travel advisory to Level 3 on October 19, 2026, citing health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and unrest
- Several Nairobi neighbourhoods and multiple counties were placed under a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' designation due to specific security threats
- The CDC also issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease in Kenya as part of the updated advisory
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Elijah Ntongai is an experienced editor at TUKO.co.ke, with more than four years in financial, business, labour and technology research and reporting. His work provides valuable insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
The United States State Department upgraded Kenya's travel advisory to Level 3 on October 19, 2026, urging American citizens to reconsider travel to the country on account of health risks, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest, and traffic safety concerns.
Source: UGC
Within the Level 3 designation, several locations were assigned an even stricter Level 4 "Do Not Travel" status.
In Nairobi, the neighbourhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera were flagged due to elevated crime and kidnapping risks.
At the county level, Americans were advised against travelling to Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Tana River (with the exception of Tsavo National Park), Kilifi north of highway C103, and coastal areas north of Malindi, owing to kidnapping and terrorism threats.
West Pokot and western Turkana counties were also listed under the "Do Not Travel" warning due to crime, while sections of Marsabit and Turkana counties within 50 kilometres of the Ethiopian border were flagged because of unrest from cross-border incursions.
Ebola and Health Concerns
A key factor in the updated advisory is a Travel Health Notice issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease in Kenya.
The CDC separately flagged the Democratic Republic of the Congo for an Ebola outbreak, which the World Health Organisation declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17.
The State Department noted that medical services across Kenya remain limited, particularly in rural areas, where facilities frequently lack adequate medicine and equipment.
Many health situations may require medical evacuation at the traveller's own expense, and hospitals often require upfront payment before rendering services.
Security Threats Facing Travellers
The advisory highlighted a broad range of threats facing visitors. Violent crimes such as armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, sexual assault, and kidnapping for ransom can occur at any time.
Petty crime is widespread in crowded areas, and motorcycle-borne robbers have been specifically identified as a common threat.
The State Department warned that terrorist groups continue to plot attacks across Kenya, targeting government buildings, hotels, shopping malls, transport hubs, places of worship, and tourist sites. The advisory noted that attacks are carried out without warning.
Investment fraud targeting Americans also featured prominently, with scams frequently involving transactions in gold and other high-value commodities.
Property disputes remain a concern as well, with some Americans reported to have lost land, businesses, or church investments to competing local claims.
The advisory further noted that protests and strikes are common nationwide and can turn violent, with incidents of rock-throwing by protesters and the use of deadly force by police recorded across Kenya, particularly in Nairobi and western regions.
For travellers who choose to proceed despite the warnings, the State Department recommended enrolling in the Smart Traveller Enrolment Program, arranging personal evacuation plans, and securing travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage.
Source: TUKO.co.ke