U.S. EMBASSY NAIROBI
Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Nairobi (May 13, 2025)
Location: (Nairobi, Kenya) The Northern Bypass, between Githogoro Rd. and the Glee Nairobi hotel
Event: The U.S. Embassy received reports of protesters armed with machetes blocking the Northern Bypass, between Githogoro Rd. and the Glee Nairobi hotel. Avoid Githogoro Rd. and the immediate Githogoro neighborhood (North of Runda). If you encounter a protest and/or roadblock depart the area immediately.
U.S. EMBASSY NAIROBI
Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Nairobi (May 9, 2025)
Location: High traffic areas frequented by foreigners and tourists in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya
Event: The U.S. Embassy is monitoring reports of a recent increase in al-Shabaab activity, particularly along the Kenyan-Somali border, including Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa as well as in coastal areas such as Lamu.
Locations frequented by U.S. citizens, other foreigners, and tourists continue to be attractive targets to terrorists planning to conduct attacks. Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning. Potential targets include, hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners and tourists.
Actions to Take:
U.S. Embassy Nairobi
Kenya Travel Advisory
March 18, 2025
Updated to reflect additional safety and security information.
Exercise caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas of the country have a greater risk. Read the entire travel advisory.
Do Not Travel to:
· Kenya-Somalia border counties (Garissa, Wajir, Mandera), Tana River County, and coastal areas north of Malindi due to terrorism and kidnapping.
· West Pokot and western Turkana County due to banditry. Parts of Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the Ethiopian border due to cross-border incursions.
Reconsider Travel to:
· The Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to crime and kidnapping.
Country Summary: Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping, can occur at any time. Local police often lack the capability to respond effectively to serious crimes and terrorist attacks. Emergency medical and fire services are limited. Avoid traveling after dark in Kenya due to crime and poor traffic safety.
Crimes
Motorcycle crimes are common, where thieves grab items from victims and quickly flee the scene. Crimes typically occur in crowded areas or when people are distracted. Police have limited ability to respond to these crimes. Handbags, mobile phones, and other easy-to-reach valuables are the most stolen items.
Terrorism
Terrorist attacks on public places, such as government buildings, schools, places of worship, malls, and hotels, have occurred with little or no warning.
Terrorist acts have included armed assaults, suicide operations, bomb or grenade attacks, and kidnappings.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations, strikes, and other political and economic protests are common. They block key intersections or highways, resulting in widespread traffic jams. Violence during demonstrations has occurred across the country. This includes rock-throwing and police using deadly force. Political violence is most common in western Kenya and Nairobi.
Health
Access to medical care in Kenya may not be on the same level as it is in the United States, and medical facilities may not have adequate medication supplies, especially outside large cities. Medical evacuation insurance valid for travel to Kenya is strongly recommended. Hospitals usually require payment before treatment.
Unlicensed facilities and bribes
Some schools and behavior modification facilities in Kenya operate without licensing and oversight. There are reports of U.S. citizens being held against their will in these facilities and being physically abused.
The embassy frequently receives complaints from U.S. citizens who have been stopped by police, immigration, or customs officials asking for bribes.
Property confiscations
Property disputes are common and can turn violent. Some U.S. citizens have had their property confiscated or been threatened.
Read the country information page for more information about travel to Kenya.
If you decide to travel to Kenya:
Specified Areas - Level 4: Do Not Travel
U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the below areas.
Kenya-Somalia Border Counties:
· Mandera due to kidnapping and terrorism.
· Wajir due to kidnapping and terrorism.
· Garissa due to kidnapping and terrorism.
Coastal Area Counties:
· Tana River (except for Tsavo National Park) due to kidnapping and terrorism.
· Lamu due to kidnapping and terrorism.
· Areas of Kilifi north of Malindi due to kidnapping and terrorism.
Parts of north and northwestern Kenya:
· West Pokot County due to banditry.
· Western Turkana County south of Lodwar due to banditry.
· Parts of Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the Ethiopian border due to cross-border incursions.
Specified Areas - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera:
· Crime and kidnappings occur in the Eastleigh and Kibera neighborhoods. Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, mugging, and home invasion, can occur at any time. Street crime can involve multiple armed assailants. Most roads in these areas are heavily congested and overcrowded. Local police often lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Every year I receive a key word from the Lord. The year 2024 has a word and that is courage. Oh my, what will 2024 bring?
This year was all about perseverance. When the Lord gave me that word I thought, OH MY, what is this year gonna hold?
Not gonna lie, this has been a crazy year. It has been a year of waiting on the Lord and HIS perfect timing. When we are serving the Lord, and in HIS perfect will and we are desiring what HE has for our lives it is HIS desire to give us our desires.
I am reminded that many years ago I read a book that was LIFE CHANGING. While the Bible is the book that is life changing, sometimes we are able to read other books that have a huge impact on one's life. I have read many books that have impacted me, but none so much as a book by Bruce Wilkinson entitled "The Prayer of Jabez". I read this book while on a mission trip to Honduras with my church.
I Chronicles 4:10 says: " Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request."
In the book one is challenged to describe the best thing that happened to you in the last three months. James 1:17 states "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows".
Vision trips are back on. I will get email from Anita in the next couple of days. They are doing it differently this year. I will be in phase 1 since my trip in 2020 was cancelled. I will have the opportunity to chose from 1 of 5 trips depending on dates, finances for my schedule. I will have one week to pray about it, then phase 2 opens and others get to choose from trips as well.
Then, later this afternoon I received the following email.
Dear Barbra,
We are so excited that you will have the opportunity to participate in a 2024 Vision Trip!
Our goal for Vision Trips is to allow you to observe how God is using trained Ministry Partners to share the Gospel message, utilizing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts and discipleship materials. This makes it unlike a mission trip or distribution trip.
As a reminder, because your 2020 Vision Trip was cancelled, you will have one week to register for the Vision Trip before registration opens to the rest of the 200+ volunteers. You will receive a registration email during the week of October 9th, inviting you to select the trip you would like to participate in (all locations, dates, and costs are below). You will have until Nov. 10 to register or decline the invitation, but please note that all trips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and once a trip is full, it will be closed.
Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Lima, Peru
Quito, Ecuador
Nairobi, Kenya
Asuncion, Paraguay
My choice is highlighted in Green. I have always wanted to go to Kenya since I can remember. I know that this area of the world needs Jesus and there is so much persecution for Christians in the neighboring countries.
I covet your prayers as I prepare for this journey in life and how the Lord is preparing me for HIS plans in my life.
Today I had my mammogram. The appointment was scheduled a couple different times. I wasn't really sure why we needed to keep rescheduling on the same day, but you run with it and trust the Lord. After my mammogram, waiting to see if I would be having an ultrasound as well I was in the waiting room at the Breast Center of South Florida Baptist Hospital and met a dear lady whose name is Miriam.
Miriam was there for her mammogram as well as ultrasound for a mass on her thyroid. She was filled with anxiety. I spoke with her for a bit to get her story. She has a family history of cancer and was extremely nervous today. Not knowing if she was a Christian or not, I asked her if I could pray WITH her, not FOR her. There is a difference. Many times we say we will pray for someone and yet forget. I don't want to forget. I want to be used by God in every moment of my life. When she said yes to prayer, I got up from what I was working on and went to hold her hand and pray with her right then. I continued to pray for her throughout the day as she came to my mind. Will I know her outcome, no. That is not the purpose. My appointment was changed so that I could pray with her and offer a bit of peace and encouragement for her.
After coming home and working for a bit, I received a call back from Lisa at the Breast Center indicating that the radiologist has stated that we should do an MRI with contrast first before a biopsy, the MRI may determine that a biopsy is not needed. Lisa was going to get with the doctor office to have them send over a script for the MRI and trying to get that scheduled prior to the scheduled biopsy on May 31, 2023 at 8:00 am. Lisa said it might be a good idea to reach out to the office to help speed the process along. She wanted to keep the biopsy appointment just to be on the safe side in case anything on the MRI determines that the biopsy is needed.
All this may have been just to meet Miriam and pray with her. In my spirit I have been at peace the entire day and have not felt anxious once. I know many would be at wits end with the thought of needing a biopsy. I trust the Lord so much, that I know he has everything in his hands and that no matter what I will be alright.
I do not know what the Lord has planned, I know he has me through anything that I go through.
Until next time....
